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Cricket

'Dil Dil Pakistan nahi baja hoga shayad isiliye haar gye' - Fans react as New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 21 runs in second T20I

Despite commendable performance from Babar Azam, Pakistan suffered a 21-run defeat against the Kiwi team, resulting in a 2-0 series lead for New Zealand.

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Mathew K
New Update
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New Zealand team (Source: Twitter)

In the second T20I encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan, Babar Azam displayed outstanding form in the format, securing his second consecutive half-century on the current tour. Despite his commendable performance, Pakistan suffered a 21-run defeat against the Kiwi team, resulting in a 2-0 series lead for New Zealand.

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The visiting skipper Shaheen Afridi chose to bowl first, and once again won the toss in the series. New Zealand's opening duo, Finn Allen and wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway initiated a fiery start, accumulating 59 runs for the first wicket in just 5.1 overs before Conway was dismissed for 20. The Pakistan bowling as so often in the series looked out of thoughts in bowling plans.

Finn Allen continued with a sensational innings of 74 runs off 41 balls, including 7 fours and 5 sixes. He partnered with skipper Kane Williamson, who retired hurt after contributing 26 runs off 15 balls. With various small partnerships, New Zealand posted a total of 194 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Pakistan's Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi took 3 and 2 wickets, respectively, while Aamer Jamal and Usama Mir claimed 1 wicket each.

Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman led the fight but failed

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During the chase, the Pakistani team faced adversity when both openers, Saim Ayub and Mohammed Rizwan, fell early with the team's score at just 10 runs. Tim Southee and Adam Milne dismissed them for 1 and 7 runs, respectively. However, a significant recovery came in the form of a crucial partnership between former skipper Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.

The duo added 87 runs for the third wicket before Zaman's innings concluded, courtesy of Ben Sears. Zaman scored a brisk 50 runs off 25 balls, featuring 3 fours and 5 sixes. In addition, the former captain and standout batsman, Babar Azam, contributed 66 runs off 43 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Despite these impressive performances, Pakistan fell short in the chase, getting dismissed for 173 runs in 19.3 overs. Ultimately, New Zealand secured a 21-run victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this loss;

 

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New Zealand Pakistan Babar Azam