PAK vs NZ: Shameful Collapse Of Pakistan In 1st T20: In an embarrassing meeting, Pakistan was bowled out for a paltry 91 runs during the first T20I against New Zealand in Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The defeat was not only for the extent of the margin but also for how the Pakistani batting order broke under pressure. The match between Pakistan and New Zealand saw a stunning display of bowling by the Kiwis, who were making the best use of every chance to break down the opposition batting line.
This humbling loss represented Pakistan’s worst tally in T20 cricket versus New Zealand, a record to cherish for all the wrong reasons. Apart from Khushdil Shah, who scored 32 runs top among the Pakistani batsmen, no Pakistani batsmen were able to provide much of a resistance.
Historic Low for Pakistan in T20 Cricket
Pakistan’s record against New Zealand in this match was historic, but it wasn’t anything the team was eager to boast of. The lowest total of 91 runs in 18.4 overs is Pakistan’s worst in a T20I against the Kiwis.
Pakistan’s previous worst score in T20 cricket against New Zealand was 101 runs, achieved in 2016. To add insult to injury, for the first time in the history of T20 cricket, none of the Pakistani batsmen crossed the 20-run mark, highlighting the team’s collective failure.
Early Setbacks: A Nightmare Start for Pakistan
The game got off to a disastrous start for Pakistan, with New Zealand’s bowlers taking charge right from the beginning. Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers with the ball, claiming three wickets in quick succession, including the coveted scalp of Mohammad Haris, who was out for a duck. Irfan Khan also did not fare any better, scoring only one run before being back in the pavilion.
Hasan Nawaz, debuting, managed to see only two balls before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy, adding to the early troubles. By the loss of Pakistan’s fourth wicket on the 4.4th over, the side was tottering at a paltry 11 runs for four wickets.
A Faint Recovery: Khushdil Shah and Agha Salman’s Brief Partnership
Following the initial collapse, Pakistan pinned their hopes on Khushdil Shah and skipper Agha Salman to revive the innings. The two were able to muster a minor fifth-wicket stand of 46 runs. But pressure kept building, and Pakistan’s chances of recovering in full were thwarted when Salman was removed for a mere 18 runs by Ish Sodhi.
At 57 for five in the 11th over, Pakistan’s batting line-up seemed vulnerable, with hardly any able players remaining to endure the onslaught of New Zealand bowlers. Khushdil Shah, being some grit, was able to score 32 runs, three of which were sixes. But his endeavors were futile, as the remaining batting line-up soon disintegrated.
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More Collapse: Pakistan Collapses in Rapid Succession
With 80 for seven in the 15.3 overs, Pakistan’s innings was on the verge of collapse. Though there was a game-worthy effort by Jahandad Khan, who added 17 runs, the Pakistani top-order batting line-up had no more endurance left. Jahandad was caught by Jackery Faulks, reducing Pakistan to 80 for eight.
Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed also got in, but contributed little runs. Afridi managed one run, and Ahmed was caught out without even a ball facing him, contributing to the collapse. The Pakistan batting came to an end in a tragic way when they were bowled out for 91 runs in 18.4 overs, handing New Zealand a massive victory.
Pakistan’s Struggles Against New Zealand’s Bowlers
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Kyle Jamieson, put on a clinical display of fast bowling, exploiting the conditions perfectly. Jamieson finished with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 29 runs. Ish Sodhi, the leg-spinner, also had a memorable outing, claiming 2 wickets for 10 runs. Even the debutant Zachary Faulks chipped in with a wicket, rounding out a complete bowling effort by the Kiwis.
Debutants Fail to Make an Impact
Pakistan boasted three debutants in this match: Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, and Mohammad Ali. None of these players could make any considerable contribution to the team’s play.
Hasan Nawaz’s quick dismissal on the second ball sent a wrong message to the rest of the team about their performance. Abdul Samad and Mohammad Ali did not fare much better, creating more pressure for the veteran players.
New Zealand’s Dominance: A Complete Display of Skill and Strategy
Though the collapse of Pakistan’s batting is the tale of this game, New Zealand deserves credit for their superb performance. The Kiwis, having lost the toss, never let Pakistan settle in any sort of rhythm. Their bowlers never relented any pressure from the beginning of the game, and their fielding was on point with not an inch of space given to Pakistani batsmen to dominate the game.
Key Takeaways from the Pakistan vs New Zealand First T20I
– Historic Low Score: Pakistan’s 91 is their lowest T20 score against New Zealand and the first instance of 11 players not scoring even 100 runs together.
– Clinical Bowling by New Zealand: Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy’s initial strikes derailed Pakistan’s batting, and Ish Sodhi and Faulks mopped up the tail.
– Debutants Don’t Deliver: The three Pakistani debutants were poor in a difficult game, worsening the woes of the team.
– New Zealand’s Triumph: The Kiwis produced outstanding bowling and fielding to humiliate Pakistan in this game.
A Wake-up Call for Pakistan
The drubbing at Hagley Oval is a bitter reminder of Pakistan’s weak batting line-up in T20 cricket. With the series continuing, Pakistan will have to sit down and devise ways to make a comeback, particularly against a balanced New Zealand team. The team will have to look at this performance and make drastic changes if they hope to compete in future matches.
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