• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 04/28/2024
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Babar Azam, the newly reappointed captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team, can breathe a sigh of relief as his team came from behind to level the T20I series against New Zealand. They won the fifth and final match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore by 9 runs.

It was a wholesome team performance by Pakistan that saw them over the line. Starting with the bat in hand, their captain, Babar Azam, led from the front with his inning of 69 runs from 44 balls. He gave his team a good start by adding 51 runs in the powerplay.

Later, handy innings by Usman Khan (31 off 24) and Fakhar Zaman (43 off 33) helped Pakistan to a decent total. However, Shadab Khan’s quick-fire fifteen in 5 balls ensured they had a good total to defend.

Pakistan wins fifth T20I against New Zealand

With 179 runs to chase, New Zealand’s B-team didn’t have a good start. One of their most dependable batters, Tom Blundell, fell prey to Afridi in the first over itself. Tim Seifert continued to march on and scored a fifty to give his team a chance.

The middle order, despite the likes of Bracewell, Chapman, and Neesham, couldn’t finish the job. Ultimately, New Zealand’s inning was curtailed at 169 runs, as Pakistan registered a win by 9 runs.

Babar and Shaheen script Pakistan's victory in fifth T20I

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/WgdTm0xvuE#PAKvNZ

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) April 27, 2024

Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s pick of bowlers. The recently snubbed captain bowled a tremendous four-over spell in which he clinched four wickets and conceded just 30 runs. Babar Azam might not be satisfied with the win, but he will take it nonetheless.

Babar has been under pressure since his reappointment as captain of the Pakistan team. He failed to live up to the hype in his first series outing against a weakened New Zealand team.

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Rain spoiled play in the first match between the two teams. And despite Pakistan winning the second game, New Zealand returned strong to win the next two games.

This drew severe criticism of the Pakistani team and their captain, considering they were facing a second-string New Zealand team. Such a performance, particularly in a World Cup year, is unacceptable. Hopefully, Pakistan and Babar will turn things around before the World Cup and emerge again as the title contenders.