New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Preview
New Zealand and Pakistan enjoy a strong cricket rivalry that has defined the game over many decades. Their thrilling matches have entertained fans worldwide while showcasing some incredible cricketers.
Be it Kane Williamson’s strategic decisions or Babar Azam’s batting abilities, their rivalry never ceases to create thrilling spectacles.
In this article, we will discuss the main points of New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
New Zealand won by 45 runs
New Zealand have every chance of taking this series and rising back up the world rankings, having kicked off their season in splendid style by dominating Ireland across all formats and whitewashing Bangladesh.
But they were defeated in the Champions Trophy final against South Africa and since have struggled. Prior to competing at the World Cup they must find form again.
Finn Allen’s 137 off 62 balls propelled New Zealand to an unassailable 3-0 advantage against Pakistan at Dunedin, opening up an unassailable lead in their five-match T20 series. His 16 sixes made him joint joint highest scorer among New Zealand players for T20 innings; Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Ross Taylor helped support him well alongside Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi who provided ample bowling depth.
New Zealand batting first
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, hopeful of reaching a substantial total on this spinner-friendly pitch. Unfortunately for them though, India threw away their chance by collapseing to only 156 all out with just 3 wickets remaining, giving New Zealand an enormous lead.
Devon Conway struck three fours off Jasprit Bumrah in the second over of the morning session before eventually being dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin after his left-arm spinner hit an edge to his bat.
Tim Southee of New Zealand becomes the latest batsman to fall, hitting at a wide delivery from Starc and being caught at deep point by Henry for one wicket on Day One in Pune – and with it comes an end to an exciting opening day’s play at this ground, reported live from by The Hindu’s Amol Karhadkar from inside it.
New Zealand bowling first
New Zealand have long been renowned for outperforming their international cricket counterparts and this match serves as an apt demonstration. Their teams are captivating to watch and have produced jaw-dropping spectacles over time.
Spinner Amelia led New Zealand with her excellent bowling performance. Her four wickets helped New Zealand bowl out India for a respectable total.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra gave New Zealand some resistance in the first innings, sharing a 76-run partnership before Indian off-spinner Washington Sundar struck. But their resistance faltered rapidly during the final session after tea when Ravindra was caught by Jayasuriya for 65. Ravindra appealed against an lbw decision but it was upheld, leaving only two wickets remaining to chase down their target of 68 runs with just two wickets still available to them.
New Zealand batting second
After losing both openers early, the Blackcaps had to put forth their best effort, with Trent Boult leading with his superb bowling. As soon as their opponents finally began taking notice of what was happening on pitch one, things quickly settled into place with Trent Boult taking control with his expert bowling.
Ravindra Jadeja scored an indefatigable 38 to bring down New Zealand to 136-8 post tea, only for him to be dismissed soon thereafter by Washington Sundar when taking an incredible one-handed catch at short third man from one-handed catcher Aakash Patel and leave their hosts trailing by 103 runs.
Henry attempts to drive at a straight one but fails to gain an edge. Cummins appeals and technology deems him to have hit it on his back pad instead, giving India some hope as they pursue 259 runs for victory in their final innings.
New Zealand bowling second
Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the second Test match, with Waqar Younis (4/72) breaking down New Zealand’s batting lineup. Adam Parore top-scored with 93 but New Zealand were unable to overthrow Pakistan’s mammoth first innings total.
Lockie Ferguson overpitches on the pads, Mohammad Nawaz stands up and flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a boundary run.
New Zealand and Pakistan will look to end their current white-ball cricket stalemate in this five-match Test series that started December/January 2023 and ended with a 2-2 tie. Although Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner will both miss this series due to participating in the Indian Premier League, Michael Bracewell will take charge as captain while Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir make comebacks after one-year absences from international cricket.
New Zealand batting third
New Zealand are slowly but steadily building their innings, with Tom Latham and Devon Conway playing cautious yet effective innings. Rotating strike and not losing wicket, they have yet to succumb. Latham edged one past the slips against Siraj to score a boundary in one over.
Shubman Gill survived a close DRS appeal from Mitchell Santner but the umpire’s call stood. India are a batting side and will want to maintain pressure against New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan had been locked in an excellent partnership that looked set to give India an enormous lead, until Tim Southee struck with his second new ball to dismiss Sarfaraz Khan and start an innings-change; eventually India finished 356 runs behind, yet now trail by only 107 runs; an outstanding feat by a team known for punching above its weight.
New Zealand bowling fourth
The Black Caps have enjoyed an outstanding campaign so far and look to maintain their momentum against Pakistan when playing them in Rawalpindi for a five-match Twenty20 series.
Ferguson made an immediate impact upon entering for his fifth over, bowling out Assad Vala with his first ball and keeping changing lengths to create problems for PNG batsmen.
Ecclestone struck back again in the 12th over, taking two New Zealand wickets – Maddy Green (24) and Jess Kerr (0). Green holed out to Gibson at midwicket while Kerr missed an overly-straight delivery that shattered her stumps. New Zealand’s batting intensity had diminished throughout their innings and finished with an below-par total; nonetheless they managed to progress all the way to semi-finals by outwitting Pakistan with an exciting run chase, reaching their semi-finals before meeting India for finals!
New Zealand batting fifth
New Zealand’s top order remained solid despite losing Kane Williamson early, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both scoring fifty runs before India finally claimed wickets to claim victory.
At any rate, it was an impressive performance from the Black Caps who are becoming an intimidating World Cup team. Michael Bracewell and James Neesham led by example with bat in hand while Tim Robinson and Dean Foxcroft also contributed significantly.
The Kiwis kicked off their domestic season with a comprehensive win against West Indies across all formats, but struggled to maintain first place when losing to Pakistan in a T20I series. But this tour presents them with the perfect chance to rediscover form; their strong squad includes experienced players such as James Neesham and Tim Robinson and emerging talents Dean Foxcroft and Mark Chapman – ensuring an impressive display against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.
New Zealand batting sixth
New Zealand are well known for punching above their weight in short form cricket and have enjoyed great success as a result. One of their resources, they won both the inaugural World Test Championship and ICC KnockOut Trophy (the precursor of Champions Trophy), while also making it to both 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cup finals.
At Tea on Day 2, New Zealand were in complete control, entering the interval with an impressive 103-run advantage. Tom Latham led with resilience and skill as he led from the front as others around him contributed handy partnerships. Their intent was clear from start to finish as their proactive play against spinners helped build them an impressive total score; by end of session New Zealand had reached 185 for 3.
New Zealand batting seventh
On day two at Pune, New Zealand batsmen struggled against India’s spinners despite an impressive start from Devon Conway and Tom Latham – losing wickets regularly and going wicketless at regular intervals.
Washington Sundar continued his incredible run with three wickets in quick succession. First he overpowered Conway’s sweep shot before trapping him lbw for 17 off 25. Additionally, Washington took out Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell within single digit scores for wickets to fall.
Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 30 and Yashasvi Jaiswal 31 as New Zealand reached 156/6 at tea. To avoid another collapse like they experienced in the Champions Trophy final, New Zealand must increase the tempo of their batting and avoid another collapse like what occurred there. Watch live coverage on JioCinema starting from Rs.99/month here for details.