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Pakistan remains unbeaten after playing two games in the ongoing T20I tri-series including New Zealand and Bangladesh. A day after outplaying Bangladesh by 21 runs on October 7 (Friday), Babar Azam-led side edged past host New Zealand in the second T20I by 6 wickets at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
While Pakistan cricketers were the dominating force throughout the game, New Zealand wicketkeeper Devon Conway hogged lot of limelight for his excellent piece of fielding in the middle. It was the 11.4 over of the 2nd innings when Pakistan middle-order batter Shabad Khan scoops over the head of keeper, and the ball rolled away to touch the ropes. But Conway ran 50-metres back to slide and kick the ball in inches from the rope. Conway's effort was widely lauded by many after third umpire took a close look and deemed it fair pull-back for Conway.
Speaking of the game, Kane Williamson-led side somehow managed to post 147/8 in the first innings on the back of Kane's 31 off 30 and 32 from left-handed batter Mark Chapman. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf picked three wickets, while Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Nawaz finished the game with two wickets each.
In response to New Zealand's 147, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was once again at its best as he remained unbeaten at 79 in just 53 deliveries. His power packed innings was studded with eleven boundaries and shockingly he played no maximum. Apart from Babar, Shadab Khan too scored crucial 34 off 22 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and as many as maximums. Interestingly, 22-year-old Haider Ali smashed a boundary and a maximum to finish things in style in 19th over of the game.
Babar Azam was bestowed with Player of the Match for his incredible batting. Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan is currently the leading run-getter in the contest with 78 in one innings, while Mohammad Wasim Jr has maximum wickets (5). New Zealand will now play against Bangladesh on October 9 (Sunday), followed by yet another encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan on October 11 (Tuesday) on the same ground. All three teams will play twice with each other, and the top-two teams will qualify for the final of the tri-series.