NZ v Pakistan T20 series

[Plugger35]

The eagerly awaited 5 match T20 series between NZ and Pakistan is kicking off shortly for the first game in Auckland with Pakistan winning the toss and bowling first.

New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Matthew Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

Pakistan XI: M Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Aamir Jamal, Usama Mir (Debut), Shaheen Afridi (c), Abbas Afridi (Debut), Haris Rauf

 

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Santner ruled out of this game due to testing positive to Covid which is a big blow to NZ's chances.

Not only is he a better T20 bowler than Sodhi he is also a better T20 batsman.

 

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Shaheen dismissing Conway for a first ball duck, Pakistan resting him for the SCG test already paying off for them.

Conway still in awful form, he couldn't even make a decent score for Wellington in the Super Smash a few days ago.

 

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Finn Allen looking in good form though, smashing Shaheen for 24 in his 2nd over.

 

[The 747]

This opening is a microcosm of Pakistan. First over 1/1, third over goes for 24, fourth over the second ball goes for six, bowls him the third ball, but its a no-ball. Fourth ball only the bowler appeals, very close on review.

 

[Plugger35]

No luck for Jamal bowling Finn Allen off a no ball and then having an lbw review against Williamson knocked back on umpire's call.

An eventful start to this game to say the least.

 

[akkaps]

Oh, that dropped catch was horrible

 

[The 747]

Now Babar drops Williamson. Just Pakistan things.

Edit - third time lucky, they dismiss Allen.

 

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Now Babar dropping a sitter off Williamson, classic Pakistan.

 

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Pakistan finally hold a catch and Finn Allen's entertaining cameo is over.

 

[yabsy]

Never seen this portly fella keeping for Pakistan before...Wonder why Rizwan isn't doing the job?

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[Plugger35]

More awful fielding from Pakistan with a misfield and then a bad throw to Tubby behind the stumps who was never getting to that one.

 

[Plugger35]

Never seen this portly fella keeping for Pakistan before...Wonder why Rizwan isn't doing the job?

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He is Moin Khan's son which might explain it, hard to believe he could get a game for Pakistan otherwise in the shape he is in.

He would want to be good with the bat.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Pakistan and dropping catches, name a more iconic duo.

 

[Plugger35]

Willamson dropped again.

 

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A tough over for Usama Mir, has a catch dropped and then Mitchell smashes him for back to back sixes.

 

[Cleavy]

He is Moin Khan's son which might explain it, hard to believe he could get a game for Pakistan otherwise in the shape he is in.

He would want to be good with the bat.

he was terrible in the PSL T20 comp.

 

[The 747]

Pakistan copping a paddlin' so far

 

[Plugger35]

Eden Park can be a nightmare for bowlers with the short boundaries there, it doesn't help when you drop catches like Pakistan either.

Williamson bringing up his fifty now so those drops are looking costly.

 

[The 747]

200 on the cards here

 

[NYRB]

Never seen this portly fella keeping for Pakistan before...Wonder why Rizwan isn't doing the job?

On Redmi Note 8 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

He is fat but he can hit.

 

[Plugger35]

Jamal copping some tap from Mitchell and Phillips, he is getting a reality check after his impressive performance in the test series here.

 

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Usama Mir getting taken to the cleaners as well, I don't know why Pakistan keep picking him in their limited overs teams, he's a pie chucker.

He must be related to an ex-Pakistan player too.

 

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A fifty off 22 balls for Mitchell, one of the most dangerous short form batsmen in the game along with Maxwell.

Right on cue he gets out, great knock from him though.

 

[Plugger35]

NZ finishing on 226/8, you would normally say that total would be too much to chase down in a T20 but at Eden Park it is a gettable total.