In the final match of the tri-nation series, Pakistan lost three important wickets early against New Zealand, leaving them in a precarious position. Karachi’s National Stadium witnessed Will O’Rourke and Michael Bracewell claim early dismissals. Captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first, following a triumphant semi-final against South Africa where both he and Salman Ali Agha hit centuries. New Zealand seeks to maintain their winning streak with recent victories over both South Africa and Pakistan.
In a significant setback for Pakistan, the team has lost three crucial wickets in the final match of the tri-nation series against New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi. Early on, Will O’Rourke initiated the collapse by dismissing opener Fakhar Zaman for just 10 runs in the fourth over. Following that, Michael Bracewell contributed by removing Saud Shakeel for a mere 8 runs in the ninth over. Babar Azam was then out for 29, thanks to Nathan Smith’s impressive catch, leaving Pakistan struggling at 61 runs for 3 wickets within 14 overs.
Prior to this match, Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s captain, won the toss and opted to bat first against the Black Caps. He announced a strategic change in the lineup, bringing Faheem Ashraf into the playing XI as a replacement for Muhammad Hasnain. Rizwan expressed his aim to set a substantial target for New Zealand with the intention of securing a victory in this title clash.
Pakistan had showcased impressive form leading up to the final, having defeated South Africa by six wickets to qualify for this match. In that encounter, Salman Ali Agha and Rizwan both scored magnificent centuries, with Agha making an outstanding 134 off 103 balls and Rizwan contributing 122 not out off 128 deliveries. This remarkable victory marked the highest successful chase achieved by any team against South Africa in One-Day Internationals.
It is worth noting that New Zealand, whom Pakistan faces today, has recently demonstrated formidable performance by winning their last two matches against both South Africa and Pakistan, indicating a strong position in this tri-nation series. As the match unfolds, the pressure mounts on Pakistan to overcome this early setback and strive for a competitive target.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s cricket team is currently facing significant challenges as they lost three key wickets early in the match against New Zealand in Karachi. Despite winning the toss and opting to bat first, the team’s performance is under scrutiny after their recent success against South Africa. With New Zealand having won their previous encounters, Pakistan must regroup quickly to salvage the game and set a formidable target.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
