Young Fans Break – Nothing seems to be going in favor of the Pakistan senior men’s cricket team at the moment as the Babar Azam-led suffered a crushing four-run defeat to an understrength New Zealand in the 4th T20I on Thursday. The defeat at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was their second in as many matches after Pakistan won the second game, while the series-opener was washed out due to rain. The hosts trail 1-2 in the five-match series with the final match, also in Lahore, on Saturday.
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Returning to the match, New Zealand opener Tim Robinson scored his maiden half-century to take New Zealand to 178-7 in 20 overs before pacer William O’Rourke claimed 3-27 to help restrict Pakistan to 174-8.
Fakhar Zaman (61) lifted Pakistan from 79-4 with a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed (23).
However, O’Rourke and Ben Sears shared five wickets to give the visitors an unassailable 2-1 lead.
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell praised his team’s death in the bowling.
“It’s a big positive for us that we can expose new guys, we backed Neesham to bowl those tough overs and he was able to close out today,” Bracewell said after the match.
“I thought our last five overs as a bowling unit were particularly impressive,” he added.
New Zealand arrived in Pakistan earlier this month without a host of players absent due to the Indian Premier League, injuries, and unavailability.Young Fans Break
Pakistan needed 18 off the last over in their chase of 179, but veteran James Neesham prevailed despite being hit for a boundary off the first ball, leaving the home fans heartbroken.
To New Zealand’s delight, Neesham defended six runs off the last ball. In contrast, Pakistan fans were left disheartened as young children burst into tears after the disappointing defeat.Young Fans Break
Pakistan cricket has been in a crisis after Babar Azam returned as captain, replacing pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi after just one series in charge. Shaheen had lost 0-5 in his debut as captain against New Zealand Down Under.