Pakistan vs New Zealand:: Shoaib Akhtar has taunted the Pakistan cricket team after their 79-run defeat to New Zealand in the second ODI on Wednesday.
After a shaky start, the Kiwis took control of the match after a 181-run partnership between Devon Conway and captain Kane Williamson. Conway played a well-deserved 101 off 92 balls, while Williamson scored 85.
Pakistan came back into the contest as Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz picked up three and four wickets respectively as they rattled New Zealand’s batting line-up to bundle them out for 261. Runs in 49.5 overs.
Chasing the target, the hosts got off to a terrible start as they lost Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq with just nine runs on the board. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the ship for Pakistan, but the scoring rate from both the batsmen was not high, with Rizwan scoring 28 off just 50 balls.
Although Agha Salman tried to play a few shots, it was not enough on the day. Azam’s 79 went in vain as the lower order collapsed and the hosts were bundled out for 182 as New Zealand leveled the series 1–1.
Akhtar was unhappy with the batting approach adopted by Pakistan and decided to take to social media to show his frustration. The former cricketer posted a sarcastic message on Twitter and took
Commenting on the defeat after the match, Azam said that it was difficult to take on the spinners and the ball was coming differently as compared to the first ODI.
“We didn’t start well with the ball but came back well. Also, we lost a few quick wickets with the bat and so we were behind in the game. The plan between me and Rizwan was to take the game deep but keep losing wickets. Was.” puts pressure on you. The wicket had turn and bounce, it was difficult to take on the spinners and Salman did well to play his shots. The ball was coming differently compared to the first match but credit goes to the New Zealand spinners as they bowled well, the pitch here usually plays better in the second innings but today was an off,” Azam said.
