Pakistan seal series, claim No.1 spot in t20
Pakistan outclassed New Zealand by 18 runs in the 3rd T20 international to clinch the series 2-1 and also grabbed the No.1 spot in ICC t20 ranking.
New Zealand defeated Pakistan comprehensively in the first t20 to continue its winning streak after winning 5 successive ODI’s but Pakistan came back strongly the shortest format of cricket that suits them quit well. After losing first t20, Pakistan stunned Black caps to level the series 1-1 and in the third and decisive t20, Green Shirts outplayed hosts by 18 runs to grab the series and ICC No.1 t20 spot.
After winning the toss, skipper Sarfraz decided to bat first and posted a total of 181 runs on the board for Kiwis. Fakhar Zaman continued his fine form as he smashed 5 fours and 1 six for his 46 runs in 36 balls. Haris Sohail on 18 and Aamer Yamin 15 remained unbeaten. Captain Sarfraz scored 29, Umir Amin added 21 in just 7 balls that includes 3 huge 6’s.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner picked 2 wickets each while left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult and Right arm medium-fast bowler Colin de Grandhomme got 1 wicket apiece from New Zealand. All of the Kiwi bowlers west for too many runs just Santner remained the economical as he went for 24 runs in 4 overs.
In the runs chase, New Zealand started off well and scored 32 runs in 5 overs but skipper Williamson was sent back to pavilion by Fahim on individual score of 9 as Black caps lost their first wicket on 32 runs in 5.1 overs. Martin Guptill played freely against Pakistani bowlers but none other Kiwi batsman helped him during the runs chase.
Martin Guptill was bamboozled by Shahdab khan with his spin and he was stumped by Sarfraz on 59 runs. Guptill hammered 4 sixes and 2 fours in his innings. Rose Taylor contributed 25 runs and Mitchell Santner added 24 not out runs as New Zealand fall 18 runs short of the target and Men in Green not only win the T20 series 2-1 but also topped the ICC t20 rankings.
Shadab Khan picked 2 wickets for Pakistan while Aamer Yamen, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf all got 1 wicket each. Shadab Khan was awarded man of the match while Mohammad Amir was declared Man of the series.
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