After excellent performance by the bowlers led by Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen and Devon Conway scored a century partnership as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets with 23 balls to spare in the tri-series T20I here on Tuesday. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat but their top-order batsmen could not convert a good start into a big total as their team could only manage 130 runs for seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
New Zealand chased down the target in just 16.1 overs for the loss of one wicket. Allen (62 off 42 balls, one four, six sixes) and Conway (49 not out off 46 balls, five fours) ensured New Zealand’s big win with a 117-run partnership for the first wicket. Captain Kane Williamson remained unbeaten on nine runs. This is New Zealand’s second win in three matches, making them four points equal to Pakistan. Bangladesh, the third team of the competition, is yet to open the account. The top two teams will advance to the final.
Off-spinner Bracewell (2 for 11) cheaply dismissed in-form Mohammad Rizwan (16) and skipper Babar Azam (21) to sabotage Pakistan’s hopes of posting a big total while batting first. Mitchell Santner (2 for 27) and Tim Southee (2 for 31) also took two wickets each. If Pakistan managed to reach a respectable score, it was thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed (27) and Asif Ali (25 not out) who scored some crucial runs in the final overs.
