The wicket appears to be two-paced, with taking the pace off proving most effective, while quicker deliveries seem to go just as fast. Chasing 205 will be a tough ask for this inexperienced Pakistan batting unit, especially with the new ball doing a bit early on. The openers will need to be cautious upfront. An interesting chase awaits us. Back in a bit.
Mark Chapman is up for a quick chat. He says that the wicket is that kind of where you can take a few balls to settle in and then unleash yourself. Adds that he is not the biggest of the guys so he just tries to focus on timing the ball more often than not. Mentions that he is the not only one with a good record against Pakistan but he is very happy that he has hit a fifty again against them. Concludes that he is happy that New Zealand went past the 200-run mark and they are hoping that they ca
Pakistan struck early, removing both openers inside the Powerplay, but Chapman found his rhythm and kept the boundaries flowing for the hosts. The visitors managed to break partnerships just as they started looking dangerous, but wickets in clusters remained elusive. From 135/3, the Kiwis slipped to 164/7 as Pakistan clawed their way back. Pakistan may have missed a trick by not bowling Abrar Ahmed out despite his double strike, in the next over. Instead, they allowed a partnership to develop,
New Zealand do get past 200 before being bowled out! When Mark Chapman was in full flow, they seemed on course for a bigger total than the 204 they eventually posted. However, at 164/7, it looked like they might fall short of the 200-run mark. It turned out to be a case of Chapman versus Pakistan. It was essentially Chapman versus Pakistan. After Chapman's brilliant 94, the next highest score in the top 6 was just 19 from Tim Seifert at the top of the order, which sums up the story of New Zea
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, ! GONE! CAUGHT! New Zealand have been bowled out!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, On a good length, at the pads, Ben Sears looks to whip across to the leg side, but the ball ricochets off the thigh pad. Lobs and lands near the strip on the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Put down? That was bludgeoned like a bullet!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Leg bye.
Who will bowl the last over? It will be Abbas Afridi. 2-0-22-1 so far for Abbas.
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Four!
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Full and angling into the pads, Ben Sears flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, ! c Mohammad Haris b Haris Rauf.
Ben Sears is the last man in.
Haris Rauf to Jacob Duffy, Some casual running there by Duffy. Just saved as he drags the bat in time at the non-striker's end.
Jacob Duffy walks in.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, ! BOWLED! CLEANED HIM UP! Haris Rauf gets his second wicket and New Zealand are 193/8.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, On the stumps, on the pads, Ish Sodhi hops across and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, ! An expensive over from Shaheen. On the fuller side, angling into the pads, Michael Bracewell picks it up well and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. New Zealand are up and running again. 17 runs from Shaheen's last over.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a length. Left alone.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, MISFIELD, ! No, that won't help Pakistan at all. Shaheen, by the looks of him, is fuming.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Speared down the leg stump line. Michael Bracewell lets it be. A good diving stop by Mohammad Haris to his right, behind the stumps.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Another fuller one, on off, played into the off side for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, ! Much needed for New Zealand!Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Very full, around off, Michael Bracewell shovels it down to the right of long on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Around the stumps, an attempted yorker on off, Ish Sodhi bends low and carves it out to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, At 135 kph, on middle and on a good length, skidding off the deck, Ish Sodhi hops across and taps it to the mid-wicket region for a quick single. An excellent over by Haris Rauf. Just three runs from it. His figures read 3-0-21-1 so far.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Length-delivery, around off, Michael Bracewell stays on the back foot and punches it through cover and point for a single.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Aims the stumps, does Rauf, on a good length, Michael Bracewell gets behind it and blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Shorter in length, outside off, Ish Sodhi plays it late, opens the bat face and glides it down to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Back of a length, skidding through off the deck, on off, Ish Sodhi hops on the back foot and stabs it on the surface.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full again, this is driven traight to mid off.Â
Shadab Khan to Ish Sodhi, Full on the off stumps. Ish Sodhi clips it to wide long on. A single to get off the mark.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Four!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, ? Or not? No, two runs saved in the field! A short ball, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Shaheen Afridi runs across and throws himself to the right to stop the ball, gets his hands to it and flicks it in the arena, but gets in a bit of a tangle as Irfan Khan from deep mid-wicket converges in and almost collides Shaheen, as the latter tries to keep the ball inside the field of play. Irfa
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full on the leg stump, worked back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
Abrar Ahmed to Kyle Jamieson, ! BOWLED! Action-replay and Abrar Ahmed picks up another wicket, and is on a HAT TRICK!
Kyle Jamieson walks in.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! OUTFOXED! Pakistan keep chipping in with wickets at crucial phases. This is a nicely tossed-up delivery by Abrar, a deceptive wrong'un, landed on the middle and leg stump line, on a fuller length. Mitchell Hay shapes up to tonk it into the stands but ends up playing the wrong line, as he fails to read the googly off the bowler's hand. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad and crashes into the wickets.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Good length, turning into the batter, Michael Bracewell works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, ! BANG! Another one, on the shorter side, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell hangs back and pauses for a bit to let the ball arrive. Swings across and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Back of a length, at the stumps, worked past mid on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! That's hit into the orbit!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Six!
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Nagging length, on the pads, Michael Bracewell defends it to mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, On a good length, around off, Michael Bracewell pushes it towards mid on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! CAUGHT! A heartbreak for Mark Chapman as he misses out a well-deserved hundred here! He goes for 94 runs off just 44 balls. Shaheen Afridi picks up his second wicket as he bowls it slower again, on a good length and outside off, keeps it away from the batter.Â
Who walks out?
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! WHACKED! Afridi keeps it slower and short of a length, well outside off, offers width, Mark Chapman gives himself room by going to the leg side. He slices it over extra cover for a boundary.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Takes the pace off, back of a length, around middle, Mitchell Hay nudges it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and runs off for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Hard length, around off, Hay chops it out towards short third man.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Mitchell Hay, On a good length, just outside off, Hay drops it down to cover.
Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, ! LBW! GONE! Abbas Afridi breaks a partnership here!Â
Who walks in?
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, On a good length, around off, Chapman chips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! STREAKY! Haris bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Mark Chapman swivels and looks to hook it. He gets hurried by the pace as the ball takes the top edge of the bat and flies over the keeper behind the wicket. The third umpire checks it and calls a six.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! PUNISHED!
Abbas Afridi (1-0-9-0) returns to the attack, replacing Shadab Khan.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around off, Mark pushes it to long on for a single to end the over.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Wide!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Four!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, ! THUMPED! Drops it short and just outside off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and slogs it down the ground over long on for a biggie.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 1 run.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 4 Byes.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham slices it through the outer half of the bat towards backward point. He wants to have a single but is sent back by his partner.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! Good shot! Quicker and flatter, on the pads, Mark Chapman comes down the track and flicks it aerially over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around middle and leg, Chapman pushes it to long on for another single.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Floated it up, around off and middle, James Neesham chips it aerially towards long on and takes a single.Â
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham nudges it to mid-wicket.
DRINKS. The wicket of Daryl Mitchell has just come at the right time for Pakistan as that third wicket stand had just started to threaten the tourists.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, ! CAUGHT! Pakistan make a breakthrough here and Shadab Khan picks up a crucial wicket here!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, ! CLUBBED! A big over for New Zealand again! Nagging length, but on the pads, Mark Chapman transfers his weight to the back foot and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball sails just over the fielder in the deep.Â
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, ! TOP SHOT!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Tossed it up, around off and middle, Mark pushes it to long off for a single this time.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Quick chops and changes in the bowling from Pakistan. Here's Khushdil Shah into the attack for the first time this evening. He replaces Haris Rauf.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman completes his 9th T20I fifty!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, around middle, Chapman pushes it to long on for a single. Moved to 49.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! HELPS ON ITS WAY! Fires in on the pads again, not a great line to a set batter, Mark Chapman goes a bit low and flicks it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Dragged length, around middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, on the pads, Mark Chapman bends her back and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.
Shadab Khan is introduced into the attack. He replaces Abbas Afridi.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hard length, on the pads, Mark uses his wrists to turn it to deep square leg for a single to end the over.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell goes back and clips it to deep square leg for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Back of a length, around off, Mark Chapman swings at it and chips it aerially to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hits the deck hard, on short of a length, into the body, Mark Chapman swivels and pulls it along the ground wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, ! PUT AWAY!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Good effort by the skipper Salman Agha! Back of a length from over the wicket, around off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and flat-bats at it towards mid off. Salman puts in a dive to his right and saves two runs for his side.
Change? No. Rauf to continue. He is 1-0-7-1 so far.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Another risky single taken! Mark Chapman had given up and had the throw hit, it would have been curtains for him. Full and straight, at the stumps, Mark pats it straight to mid on and sets off for a single. Rauf collects and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, on the fuller side, Daryl Mitchell extends his hands into the shot and eases the drive past cover. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the ropes and it is cut off. Three runs taken.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, A stifled appeal for caught behind but turned down! A nip-backer from Abbas, on a good length, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets his hands out in front and presents a straight bat to defend. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge and it brushes the back pad on its way to the keeper. Good diving grab to his left by Mohammad Haris but the replays show that there was no bat involved.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, ! Agricultural but effective! This is on a back of a length, this sits up to be hit, Daryl Mitchell swings a bit too hard to go across the line. The bat turns in his hand and it comes off the inner half to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, A bit more effort on this one by Abbas, on a hard length, on middle, Mark drops it beside the pitch on the leg side and crosses over. 50 up for New Zealand!
Well, for those who are wondering why has been the hydration break taken so early, it is because the Pakistani players are breaking their Ramzan fast. So, an unofficial drinks break has been called upon. The Pakistani players help themselves with water and some strategies are being discussed around as well.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Starts from around the wicket and offers a bit of width, on a back of a length, Chapman thumps it on the bounce to extra cover.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, This skids through and hurries the batter up, on a hard length, on off, Mark gets on his toes to keep it out. The ball goes off the inside edge of the bat and sneaks past the stumps for a single.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Risky single! At the stumps, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Rauf runs to his right and gets to the ball quickly but fails to gather it cleanly, allowing the batters to complete the run.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Four!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Angling away, on a length, Chapman firms the drive to mid off.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Haris Rauf makes an instant impact! Both Kiwi openers, who have been a thorn in the flesh for Pakistan this series, are gone inside the Powerplay. A cross-seam delivery from Rauf, on a good length, on middle and leg, Seifert backs away and tries to launch it down the ground but the ball comes on slower than he expected it to. He is early into the shot and skies it straight up towards mid on where Salman Agha settles under it and does the
Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, Wide! Sprays it down leg first up does Rauf, Tim misses the tickle. Wide given.
Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, ! Excellent shot! Floated up, on a nagging length, on off, Chapman walks across and gets close to the line of the ball. Gets on a knee and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Four!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Sees the batter backing away and Abrar follows him. Tim tucks it wide of square leg and steals a quick single. Abrar is not pleased with the throw going to the batting end and he felt it should have gone to his end.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, A bit slower and fuller, on middle, Chapman steps out and eases the drive to long on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, This skids through, short in length, Chapman whips it straight to mid-wicket.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, No run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, This comes on slower than the batter expected, on a back of a length, around leg, Chapman looks to pull it away but misses as the ball stays a bit low and brushes his shirt.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! At 122 kph, a cross-seam delivery that takes off after landing on the seam. Mark Chapman gets into a tangle as he rises to ride the bounce. The ball takes the shoulder of the bat and lands safely beside the pitch on the off side.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! Easy pickings! Too straight, sliding onto the hips with the angle, Mark hangs back and helps it past short fine leg for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Play and a miss! Outside off, on a good length, Mark Chapman looks to flay it away on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Six!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Had the throw hit, Chapman was gone! Run out chance missed by Pakistan! Floated up, on middle, Seifert stabs it down beside the pitch on the leg side. Chapman sets off for a single and is more than halfway through the run.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Cracking shot!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Up and over! Sliding on with the arm, right in the arc, on middle and leg, Seifert clears his front leg and mows it over mid on for a boundary.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Flat and short, on off, Tim rocks back and cuts it straight to cover-point.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Pushes it across the left-hander from over the wicket, Chapman punches it down to long on with a straight bat for a single.
Oh, spin to operate from the far end. Here's Abrar Ahmed.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Angling back into the pads, on a length, Chapman nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.
Mark Chapman is in at number 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, ! WHAT A GRAB! A 'Superman effort' from Haris Rauf and Finn Allen cannot believe his luck!
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Takes pace off and drags the length back, on middle, Tim is a bit early into the heave and gets it to the left of the left of deep fine leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi is having a bit of an issue with his boot. Seems like the grass got stuck in his shoe and it is being removed now.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Leg bye! Afridi strays on the pads, on a length, Allen has a swing at it to get it behind square on the leg side but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Finn mistimes the drive off the inner half to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Tim Seifert and ââââNew Zealand are underway! Shaping back into the pads from over the wicket, a bit too full, Tim glances it down to deep fine leg for a single.
Well then, done with all the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the action underway here at Eden Park. It's a cool pleasant evening, a perfect atmosphere for the game of cricket to progress. A good crowd has also turned up in the stands. The two umpires are out to the middle, and so are the players of Pakistan, who take their respective fielding positions. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are the two openers for New Zealand. And the new ball is tossed up to Shaheen Afridi. He will begin
We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, Michael Bracewell and Salman Agha will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Pakistan first, followed by that of New Zealand.
The skipper of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell says they are comfortable batting first. Also mentions about the stats suggesting that it's a good batting deck. Says the new ball bowlers have done really well for them and is hopeful that they will do better again in this game.
The captain of Pakistan, Salman Agha says that they just wanted to have a total on the board to chase which is why they chose to bowl first. Informs that they have made two changes to the side with Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed coming in for this game. Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ali are the ones missing out.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi (In for Jahandad Khan), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed (In for Mohammad Ali).
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (In for Zakary Foulkes), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.Â
We are back.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
The wicket appears to be two-paced, with taking the pace off proving most effective, while quicker deliveries seem to go just as fast. Chasing 205 will be a tough ask for this inexperienced Pakistan batting unit, especially with the new ball doing a bit early on. The openers will need to be cautious upfront. An interesting chase awaits us. Back in a bit.
Mark Chapman is up for a quick chat. He says that the wicket is that kind of where you can take a few balls to settle in and then unleash yourself. Adds that he is not the biggest of the guys so he just tries to focus on timing the ball more often than not. Mentions that he is the not only one with a good record against Pakistan but he is very happy that he has hit a fifty again against them. Concludes that he is happy that New Zealand went past the 200-run mark and they are hoping that they ca
Pakistan struck early, removing both openers inside the Powerplay, but Chapman found his rhythm and kept the boundaries flowing for the hosts. The visitors managed to break partnerships just as they started looking dangerous, but wickets in clusters remained elusive. From 135/3, the Kiwis slipped to 164/7 as Pakistan clawed their way back. Pakistan may have missed a trick by not bowling Abrar Ahmed out despite his double strike, in the next over. Instead, they allowed a partnership to develop,
New Zealand do get past 200 before being bowled out! When Mark Chapman was in full flow, they seemed on course for a bigger total than the 204 they eventually posted. However, at 164/7, it looked like they might fall short of the 200-run mark. It turned out to be a case of Chapman versus Pakistan. It was essentially Chapman versus Pakistan. After Chapman's brilliant 94, the next highest score in the top 6 was just 19 from Tim Seifert at the top of the order, which sums up the story of New Zea
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, ! GONE! CAUGHT! New Zealand have been bowled out!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, On a good length, at the pads, Ben Sears looks to whip across to the leg side, but the ball ricochets off the thigh pad. Lobs and lands near the strip on the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Put down? That was bludgeoned like a bullet!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Leg bye.
Who will bowl the last over? It will be Abbas Afridi. 2-0-22-1 so far for Abbas.
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Four!
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Full and angling into the pads, Ben Sears flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, ! c Mohammad Haris b Haris Rauf.
Ben Sears is the last man in.
Haris Rauf to Jacob Duffy, Some casual running there by Duffy. Just saved as he drags the bat in time at the non-striker's end.
Jacob Duffy walks in.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, ! BOWLED! CLEANED HIM UP! Haris Rauf gets his second wicket and New Zealand are 193/8.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, On the stumps, on the pads, Ish Sodhi hops across and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, ! An expensive over from Shaheen. On the fuller side, angling into the pads, Michael Bracewell picks it up well and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. New Zealand are up and running again. 17 runs from Shaheen's last over.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a length. Left alone.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, MISFIELD, ! No, that won't help Pakistan at all. Shaheen, by the looks of him, is fuming.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Speared down the leg stump line. Michael Bracewell lets it be. A good diving stop by Mohammad Haris to his right, behind the stumps.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Another fuller one, on off, played into the off side for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, ! Much needed for New Zealand!Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Very full, around off, Michael Bracewell shovels it down to the right of long on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Around the stumps, an attempted yorker on off, Ish Sodhi bends low and carves it out to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, At 135 kph, on middle and on a good length, skidding off the deck, Ish Sodhi hops across and taps it to the mid-wicket region for a quick single. An excellent over by Haris Rauf. Just three runs from it. His figures read 3-0-21-1 so far.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Length-delivery, around off, Michael Bracewell stays on the back foot and punches it through cover and point for a single.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Aims the stumps, does Rauf, on a good length, Michael Bracewell gets behind it and blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Shorter in length, outside off, Ish Sodhi plays it late, opens the bat face and glides it down to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Back of a length, skidding through off the deck, on off, Ish Sodhi hops on the back foot and stabs it on the surface.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full again, this is driven traight to mid off.Â
Shadab Khan to Ish Sodhi, Full on the off stumps. Ish Sodhi clips it to wide long on. A single to get off the mark.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Four!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, ? Or not? No, two runs saved in the field! A short ball, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Shaheen Afridi runs across and throws himself to the right to stop the ball, gets his hands to it and flicks it in the arena, but gets in a bit of a tangle as Irfan Khan from deep mid-wicket converges in and almost collides Shaheen, as the latter tries to keep the ball inside the field of play. Irfa
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full on the leg stump, worked back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
Abrar Ahmed to Kyle Jamieson, ! BOWLED! Action-replay and Abrar Ahmed picks up another wicket, and is on a HAT TRICK!
Kyle Jamieson walks in.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! OUTFOXED! Pakistan keep chipping in with wickets at crucial phases. This is a nicely tossed-up delivery by Abrar, a deceptive wrong'un, landed on the middle and leg stump line, on a fuller length. Mitchell Hay shapes up to tonk it into the stands but ends up playing the wrong line, as he fails to read the googly off the bowler's hand. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad and crashes into the wickets.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Good length, turning into the batter, Michael Bracewell works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, ! BANG! Another one, on the shorter side, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell hangs back and pauses for a bit to let the ball arrive. Swings across and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Back of a length, at the stumps, worked past mid on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! That's hit into the orbit!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Six!
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Nagging length, on the pads, Michael Bracewell defends it to mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, On a good length, around off, Michael Bracewell pushes it towards mid on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! CAUGHT! A heartbreak for Mark Chapman as he misses out a well-deserved hundred here! He goes for 94 runs off just 44 balls. Shaheen Afridi picks up his second wicket as he bowls it slower again, on a good length and outside off, keeps it away from the batter.Â
Who walks out?
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! WHACKED! Afridi keeps it slower and short of a length, well outside off, offers width, Mark Chapman gives himself room by going to the leg side. He slices it over extra cover for a boundary.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Takes the pace off, back of a length, around middle, Mitchell Hay nudges it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and runs off for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Hard length, around off, Hay chops it out towards short third man.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Mitchell Hay, On a good length, just outside off, Hay drops it down to cover.
Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, ! LBW! GONE! Abbas Afridi breaks a partnership here!Â
Who walks in?
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, On a good length, around off, Chapman chips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! STREAKY! Haris bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Mark Chapman swivels and looks to hook it. He gets hurried by the pace as the ball takes the top edge of the bat and flies over the keeper behind the wicket. The third umpire checks it and calls a six.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! PUNISHED!
Abbas Afridi (1-0-9-0) returns to the attack, replacing Shadab Khan.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around off, Mark pushes it to long on for a single to end the over.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Wide!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Four!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, ! THUMPED! Drops it short and just outside off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and slogs it down the ground over long on for a biggie.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 1 run.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 4 Byes.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham slices it through the outer half of the bat towards backward point. He wants to have a single but is sent back by his partner.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! Good shot! Quicker and flatter, on the pads, Mark Chapman comes down the track and flicks it aerially over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around middle and leg, Chapman pushes it to long on for another single.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Floated it up, around off and middle, James Neesham chips it aerially towards long on and takes a single.Â
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham nudges it to mid-wicket.
DRINKS. The wicket of Daryl Mitchell has just come at the right time for Pakistan as that third wicket stand had just started to threaten the tourists.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, ! CAUGHT! Pakistan make a breakthrough here and Shadab Khan picks up a crucial wicket here!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, ! CLUBBED! A big over for New Zealand again! Nagging length, but on the pads, Mark Chapman transfers his weight to the back foot and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball sails just over the fielder in the deep.Â
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, ! TOP SHOT!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Tossed it up, around off and middle, Mark pushes it to long off for a single this time.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Quick chops and changes in the bowling from Pakistan. Here's Khushdil Shah into the attack for the first time this evening. He replaces Haris Rauf.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman completes his 9th T20I fifty!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, around middle, Chapman pushes it to long on for a single. Moved to 49.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! HELPS ON ITS WAY! Fires in on the pads again, not a great line to a set batter, Mark Chapman goes a bit low and flicks it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Dragged length, around middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, on the pads, Mark Chapman bends her back and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.
Shadab Khan is introduced into the attack. He replaces Abbas Afridi.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hard length, on the pads, Mark uses his wrists to turn it to deep square leg for a single to end the over.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell goes back and clips it to deep square leg for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Back of a length, around off, Mark Chapman swings at it and chips it aerially to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hits the deck hard, on short of a length, into the body, Mark Chapman swivels and pulls it along the ground wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, ! PUT AWAY!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Good effort by the skipper Salman Agha! Back of a length from over the wicket, around off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and flat-bats at it towards mid off. Salman puts in a dive to his right and saves two runs for his side.
Change? No. Rauf to continue. He is 1-0-7-1 so far.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Another risky single taken! Mark Chapman had given up and had the throw hit, it would have been curtains for him. Full and straight, at the stumps, Mark pats it straight to mid on and sets off for a single. Rauf collects and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, on the fuller side, Daryl Mitchell extends his hands into the shot and eases the drive past cover. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the ropes and it is cut off. Three runs taken.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, A stifled appeal for caught behind but turned down! A nip-backer from Abbas, on a good length, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets his hands out in front and presents a straight bat to defend. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge and it brushes the back pad on its way to the keeper. Good diving grab to his left by Mohammad Haris but the replays show that there was no bat involved.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, ! Agricultural but effective! This is on a back of a length, this sits up to be hit, Daryl Mitchell swings a bit too hard to go across the line. The bat turns in his hand and it comes off the inner half to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, A bit more effort on this one by Abbas, on a hard length, on middle, Mark drops it beside the pitch on the leg side and crosses over. 50 up for New Zealand!
Well, for those who are wondering why has been the hydration break taken so early, it is because the Pakistani players are breaking their Ramzan fast. So, an unofficial drinks break has been called upon. The Pakistani players help themselves with water and some strategies are being discussed around as well.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Starts from around the wicket and offers a bit of width, on a back of a length, Chapman thumps it on the bounce to extra cover.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, This skids through and hurries the batter up, on a hard length, on off, Mark gets on his toes to keep it out. The ball goes off the inside edge of the bat and sneaks past the stumps for a single.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Risky single! At the stumps, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Rauf runs to his right and gets to the ball quickly but fails to gather it cleanly, allowing the batters to complete the run.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Four!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Angling away, on a length, Chapman firms the drive to mid off.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Haris Rauf makes an instant impact! Both Kiwi openers, who have been a thorn in the flesh for Pakistan this series, are gone inside the Powerplay. A cross-seam delivery from Rauf, on a good length, on middle and leg, Seifert backs away and tries to launch it down the ground but the ball comes on slower than he expected it to. He is early into the shot and skies it straight up towards mid on where Salman Agha settles under it and does the
Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, Wide! Sprays it down leg first up does Rauf, Tim misses the tickle. Wide given.
Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, ! Excellent shot! Floated up, on a nagging length, on off, Chapman walks across and gets close to the line of the ball. Gets on a knee and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Four!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Sees the batter backing away and Abrar follows him. Tim tucks it wide of square leg and steals a quick single. Abrar is not pleased with the throw going to the batting end and he felt it should have gone to his end.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, A bit slower and fuller, on middle, Chapman steps out and eases the drive to long on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, This skids through, short in length, Chapman whips it straight to mid-wicket.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, No run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, This comes on slower than the batter expected, on a back of a length, around leg, Chapman looks to pull it away but misses as the ball stays a bit low and brushes his shirt.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! At 122 kph, a cross-seam delivery that takes off after landing on the seam. Mark Chapman gets into a tangle as he rises to ride the bounce. The ball takes the shoulder of the bat and lands safely beside the pitch on the off side.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! Easy pickings! Too straight, sliding onto the hips with the angle, Mark hangs back and helps it past short fine leg for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Play and a miss! Outside off, on a good length, Mark Chapman looks to flay it away on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Six!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Had the throw hit, Chapman was gone! Run out chance missed by Pakistan! Floated up, on middle, Seifert stabs it down beside the pitch on the leg side. Chapman sets off for a single and is more than halfway through the run.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Cracking shot!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Up and over! Sliding on with the arm, right in the arc, on middle and leg, Seifert clears his front leg and mows it over mid on for a boundary.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Flat and short, on off, Tim rocks back and cuts it straight to cover-point.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Pushes it across the left-hander from over the wicket, Chapman punches it down to long on with a straight bat for a single.
Oh, spin to operate from the far end. Here's Abrar Ahmed.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Angling back into the pads, on a length, Chapman nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.
Mark Chapman is in at number 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, ! WHAT A GRAB! A 'Superman effort' from Haris Rauf and Finn Allen cannot believe his luck!
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Takes pace off and drags the length back, on middle, Tim is a bit early into the heave and gets it to the left of the left of deep fine leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi is having a bit of an issue with his boot. Seems like the grass got stuck in his shoe and it is being removed now.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Leg bye! Afridi strays on the pads, on a length, Allen has a swing at it to get it behind square on the leg side but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Finn mistimes the drive off the inner half to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Tim Seifert and ââââNew Zealand are underway! Shaping back into the pads from over the wicket, a bit too full, Tim glances it down to deep fine leg for a single.
Well then, done with all the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the action underway here at Eden Park. It's a cool pleasant evening, a perfect atmosphere for the game of cricket to progress. A good crowd has also turned up in the stands. The two umpires are out to the middle, and so are the players of Pakistan, who take their respective fielding positions. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are the two openers for New Zealand. And the new ball is tossed up to Shaheen Afridi. He will begin
We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, Michael Bracewell and Salman Agha will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Pakistan first, followed by that of New Zealand.
The skipper of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell says they are comfortable batting first. Also mentions about the stats suggesting that it's a good batting deck. Says the new ball bowlers have done really well for them and is hopeful that they will do better again in this game.
The captain of Pakistan, Salman Agha says that they just wanted to have a total on the board to chase which is why they chose to bowl first. Informs that they have made two changes to the side with Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed coming in for this game. Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ali are the ones missing out.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi (In for Jahandad Khan), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed (In for Mohammad Ali).
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (In for Zakary Foulkes), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.Â
Newsletter
Pakistan
207/1(16 Overs)
We are back.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
The wicket appears to be two-paced, with taking the pace off proving most effective, while quicker deliveries seem to go just as fast. Chasing 205 will be a tough ask for this inexperienced Pakistan batting unit, especially with the new ball doing a bit early on. The openers will need to be cautious upfront. An interesting chase awaits us. Back in a bit.
Mark Chapman is up for a quick chat. He says that the wicket is that kind of where you can take a few balls to settle in and then unleash yourself. Adds that he is not the biggest of the guys so he just tries to focus on timing the ball more often than not. Mentions that he is the not only one with a good record against Pakistan but he is very happy that he has hit a fifty again against them. Concludes that he is happy that New Zealand went past the 200-run mark and they are hoping that they ca
Pakistan struck early, removing both openers inside the Powerplay, but Chapman found his rhythm and kept the boundaries flowing for the hosts. The visitors managed to break partnerships just as they started looking dangerous, but wickets in clusters remained elusive. From 135/3, the Kiwis slipped to 164/7 as Pakistan clawed their way back. Pakistan may have missed a trick by not bowling Abrar Ahmed out despite his double strike, in the next over. Instead, they allowed a partnership to develop,
New Zealand do get past 200 before being bowled out! When Mark Chapman was in full flow, they seemed on course for a bigger total than the 204 they eventually posted. However, at 164/7, it looked like they might fall short of the 200-run mark. It turned out to be a case of Chapman versus Pakistan. It was essentially Chapman versus Pakistan. After Chapman's brilliant 94, the next highest score in the top 6 was just 19 from Tim Seifert at the top of the order, which sums up the story of New Zea
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, ! GONE! CAUGHT! New Zealand have been bowled out!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, On a good length, at the pads, Ben Sears looks to whip across to the leg side, but the ball ricochets off the thigh pad. Lobs and lands near the strip on the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Put down? That was bludgeoned like a bullet!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Leg bye.
Who will bowl the last over? It will be Abbas Afridi. 2-0-22-1 so far for Abbas.
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Four!
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Full and angling into the pads, Ben Sears flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, ! c Mohammad Haris b Haris Rauf.
Ben Sears is the last man in.
Haris Rauf to Jacob Duffy, Some casual running there by Duffy. Just saved as he drags the bat in time at the non-striker's end.
Jacob Duffy walks in.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, ! BOWLED! CLEANED HIM UP! Haris Rauf gets his second wicket and New Zealand are 193/8.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, On the stumps, on the pads, Ish Sodhi hops across and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, ! An expensive over from Shaheen. On the fuller side, angling into the pads, Michael Bracewell picks it up well and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. New Zealand are up and running again. 17 runs from Shaheen's last over.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a length. Left alone.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, MISFIELD, ! No, that won't help Pakistan at all. Shaheen, by the looks of him, is fuming.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Speared down the leg stump line. Michael Bracewell lets it be. A good diving stop by Mohammad Haris to his right, behind the stumps.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Another fuller one, on off, played into the off side for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, ! Much needed for New Zealand!Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Very full, around off, Michael Bracewell shovels it down to the right of long on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Around the stumps, an attempted yorker on off, Ish Sodhi bends low and carves it out to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, At 135 kph, on middle and on a good length, skidding off the deck, Ish Sodhi hops across and taps it to the mid-wicket region for a quick single. An excellent over by Haris Rauf. Just three runs from it. His figures read 3-0-21-1 so far.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Length-delivery, around off, Michael Bracewell stays on the back foot and punches it through cover and point for a single.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Aims the stumps, does Rauf, on a good length, Michael Bracewell gets behind it and blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Shorter in length, outside off, Ish Sodhi plays it late, opens the bat face and glides it down to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Back of a length, skidding through off the deck, on off, Ish Sodhi hops on the back foot and stabs it on the surface.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full again, this is driven traight to mid off.Â
Shadab Khan to Ish Sodhi, Full on the off stumps. Ish Sodhi clips it to wide long on. A single to get off the mark.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Four!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, ? Or not? No, two runs saved in the field! A short ball, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Shaheen Afridi runs across and throws himself to the right to stop the ball, gets his hands to it and flicks it in the arena, but gets in a bit of a tangle as Irfan Khan from deep mid-wicket converges in and almost collides Shaheen, as the latter tries to keep the ball inside the field of play. Irfa
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full on the leg stump, worked back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
Abrar Ahmed to Kyle Jamieson, ! BOWLED! Action-replay and Abrar Ahmed picks up another wicket, and is on a HAT TRICK!
Kyle Jamieson walks in.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! OUTFOXED! Pakistan keep chipping in with wickets at crucial phases. This is a nicely tossed-up delivery by Abrar, a deceptive wrong'un, landed on the middle and leg stump line, on a fuller length. Mitchell Hay shapes up to tonk it into the stands but ends up playing the wrong line, as he fails to read the googly off the bowler's hand. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad and crashes into the wickets.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Good length, turning into the batter, Michael Bracewell works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, ! BANG! Another one, on the shorter side, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell hangs back and pauses for a bit to let the ball arrive. Swings across and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Back of a length, at the stumps, worked past mid on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! That's hit into the orbit!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Six!
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Nagging length, on the pads, Michael Bracewell defends it to mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, On a good length, around off, Michael Bracewell pushes it towards mid on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! CAUGHT! A heartbreak for Mark Chapman as he misses out a well-deserved hundred here! He goes for 94 runs off just 44 balls. Shaheen Afridi picks up his second wicket as he bowls it slower again, on a good length and outside off, keeps it away from the batter.Â
Who walks out?
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! WHACKED! Afridi keeps it slower and short of a length, well outside off, offers width, Mark Chapman gives himself room by going to the leg side. He slices it over extra cover for a boundary.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Takes the pace off, back of a length, around middle, Mitchell Hay nudges it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and runs off for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Hard length, around off, Hay chops it out towards short third man.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Mitchell Hay, On a good length, just outside off, Hay drops it down to cover.
Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, ! LBW! GONE! Abbas Afridi breaks a partnership here!Â
Who walks in?
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, On a good length, around off, Chapman chips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! STREAKY! Haris bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Mark Chapman swivels and looks to hook it. He gets hurried by the pace as the ball takes the top edge of the bat and flies over the keeper behind the wicket. The third umpire checks it and calls a six.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! PUNISHED!
Abbas Afridi (1-0-9-0) returns to the attack, replacing Shadab Khan.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around off, Mark pushes it to long on for a single to end the over.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Wide!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Four!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, ! THUMPED! Drops it short and just outside off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and slogs it down the ground over long on for a biggie.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 1 run.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 4 Byes.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham slices it through the outer half of the bat towards backward point. He wants to have a single but is sent back by his partner.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! Good shot! Quicker and flatter, on the pads, Mark Chapman comes down the track and flicks it aerially over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around middle and leg, Chapman pushes it to long on for another single.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Floated it up, around off and middle, James Neesham chips it aerially towards long on and takes a single.Â
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham nudges it to mid-wicket.
DRINKS. The wicket of Daryl Mitchell has just come at the right time for Pakistan as that third wicket stand had just started to threaten the tourists.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, ! CAUGHT! Pakistan make a breakthrough here and Shadab Khan picks up a crucial wicket here!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, ! CLUBBED! A big over for New Zealand again! Nagging length, but on the pads, Mark Chapman transfers his weight to the back foot and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball sails just over the fielder in the deep.Â
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, ! TOP SHOT!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Tossed it up, around off and middle, Mark pushes it to long off for a single this time.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Quick chops and changes in the bowling from Pakistan. Here's Khushdil Shah into the attack for the first time this evening. He replaces Haris Rauf.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman completes his 9th T20I fifty!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, around middle, Chapman pushes it to long on for a single. Moved to 49.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! HELPS ON ITS WAY! Fires in on the pads again, not a great line to a set batter, Mark Chapman goes a bit low and flicks it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Dragged length, around middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, on the pads, Mark Chapman bends her back and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.
Shadab Khan is introduced into the attack. He replaces Abbas Afridi.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hard length, on the pads, Mark uses his wrists to turn it to deep square leg for a single to end the over.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell goes back and clips it to deep square leg for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Back of a length, around off, Mark Chapman swings at it and chips it aerially to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hits the deck hard, on short of a length, into the body, Mark Chapman swivels and pulls it along the ground wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, ! PUT AWAY!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Good effort by the skipper Salman Agha! Back of a length from over the wicket, around off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and flat-bats at it towards mid off. Salman puts in a dive to his right and saves two runs for his side.
Change? No. Rauf to continue. He is 1-0-7-1 so far.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Another risky single taken! Mark Chapman had given up and had the throw hit, it would have been curtains for him. Full and straight, at the stumps, Mark pats it straight to mid on and sets off for a single. Rauf collects and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, on the fuller side, Daryl Mitchell extends his hands into the shot and eases the drive past cover. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the ropes and it is cut off. Three runs taken.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, A stifled appeal for caught behind but turned down! A nip-backer from Abbas, on a good length, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets his hands out in front and presents a straight bat to defend. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge and it brushes the back pad on its way to the keeper. Good diving grab to his left by Mohammad Haris but the replays show that there was no bat involved.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, ! Agricultural but effective! This is on a back of a length, this sits up to be hit, Daryl Mitchell swings a bit too hard to go across the line. The bat turns in his hand and it comes off the inner half to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, A bit more effort on this one by Abbas, on a hard length, on middle, Mark drops it beside the pitch on the leg side and crosses over. 50 up for New Zealand!
Well, for those who are wondering why has been the hydration break taken so early, it is because the Pakistani players are breaking their Ramzan fast. So, an unofficial drinks break has been called upon. The Pakistani players help themselves with water and some strategies are being discussed around as well.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Starts from around the wicket and offers a bit of width, on a back of a length, Chapman thumps it on the bounce to extra cover.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, This skids through and hurries the batter up, on a hard length, on off, Mark gets on his toes to keep it out. The ball goes off the inside edge of the bat and sneaks past the stumps for a single.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Risky single! At the stumps, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Rauf runs to his right and gets to the ball quickly but fails to gather it cleanly, allowing the batters to complete the run.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Four!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Angling away, on a length, Chapman firms the drive to mid off.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Haris Rauf makes an instant impact! Both Kiwi openers, who have been a thorn in the flesh for Pakistan this series, are gone inside the Powerplay. A cross-seam delivery from Rauf, on a good length, on middle and leg, Seifert backs away and tries to launch it down the ground but the ball comes on slower than he expected it to. He is early into the shot and skies it straight up towards mid on where Salman Agha settles under it and does the
Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, Wide! Sprays it down leg first up does Rauf, Tim misses the tickle. Wide given.
Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, ! Excellent shot! Floated up, on a nagging length, on off, Chapman walks across and gets close to the line of the ball. Gets on a knee and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Four!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Sees the batter backing away and Abrar follows him. Tim tucks it wide of square leg and steals a quick single. Abrar is not pleased with the throw going to the batting end and he felt it should have gone to his end.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, A bit slower and fuller, on middle, Chapman steps out and eases the drive to long on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, This skids through, short in length, Chapman whips it straight to mid-wicket.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, No run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, This comes on slower than the batter expected, on a back of a length, around leg, Chapman looks to pull it away but misses as the ball stays a bit low and brushes his shirt.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! At 122 kph, a cross-seam delivery that takes off after landing on the seam. Mark Chapman gets into a tangle as he rises to ride the bounce. The ball takes the shoulder of the bat and lands safely beside the pitch on the off side.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! Easy pickings! Too straight, sliding onto the hips with the angle, Mark hangs back and helps it past short fine leg for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Play and a miss! Outside off, on a good length, Mark Chapman looks to flay it away on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Six!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Had the throw hit, Chapman was gone! Run out chance missed by Pakistan! Floated up, on middle, Seifert stabs it down beside the pitch on the leg side. Chapman sets off for a single and is more than halfway through the run.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Cracking shot!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Up and over! Sliding on with the arm, right in the arc, on middle and leg, Seifert clears his front leg and mows it over mid on for a boundary.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Flat and short, on off, Tim rocks back and cuts it straight to cover-point.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Pushes it across the left-hander from over the wicket, Chapman punches it down to long on with a straight bat for a single.
Oh, spin to operate from the far end. Here's Abrar Ahmed.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Angling back into the pads, on a length, Chapman nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.
Mark Chapman is in at number 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, ! WHAT A GRAB! A 'Superman effort' from Haris Rauf and Finn Allen cannot believe his luck!
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Takes pace off and drags the length back, on middle, Tim is a bit early into the heave and gets it to the left of the left of deep fine leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi is having a bit of an issue with his boot. Seems like the grass got stuck in his shoe and it is being removed now.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Leg bye! Afridi strays on the pads, on a length, Allen has a swing at it to get it behind square on the leg side but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Finn mistimes the drive off the inner half to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Tim Seifert and ââââNew Zealand are underway! Shaping back into the pads from over the wicket, a bit too full, Tim glances it down to deep fine leg for a single.
Well then, done with all the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the action underway here at Eden Park. It's a cool pleasant evening, a perfect atmosphere for the game of cricket to progress. A good crowd has also turned up in the stands. The two umpires are out to the middle, and so are the players of Pakistan, who take their respective fielding positions. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are the two openers for New Zealand. And the new ball is tossed up to Shaheen Afridi. He will begin
We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, Michael Bracewell and Salman Agha will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Pakistan first, followed by that of New Zealand.
The skipper of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell says they are comfortable batting first. Also mentions about the stats suggesting that it's a good batting deck. Says the new ball bowlers have done really well for them and is hopeful that they will do better again in this game.
The captain of Pakistan, Salman Agha says that they just wanted to have a total on the board to chase which is why they chose to bowl first. Informs that they have made two changes to the side with Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed coming in for this game. Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ali are the ones missing out.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi (In for Jahandad Khan), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed (In for Mohammad Ali).
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (In for Zakary Foulkes), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.Â
We are back.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
The wicket appears to be two-paced, with taking the pace off proving most effective, while quicker deliveries seem to go just as fast. Chasing 205 will be a tough ask for this inexperienced Pakistan batting unit, especially with the new ball doing a bit early on. The openers will need to be cautious upfront. An interesting chase awaits us. Back in a bit.
Mark Chapman is up for a quick chat. He says that the wicket is that kind of where you can take a few balls to settle in and then unleash yourself. Adds that he is not the biggest of the guys so he just tries to focus on timing the ball more often than not. Mentions that he is the not only one with a good record against Pakistan but he is very happy that he has hit a fifty again against them. Concludes that he is happy that New Zealand went past the 200-run mark and they are hoping that they ca
Pakistan struck early, removing both openers inside the Powerplay, but Chapman found his rhythm and kept the boundaries flowing for the hosts. The visitors managed to break partnerships just as they started looking dangerous, but wickets in clusters remained elusive. From 135/3, the Kiwis slipped to 164/7 as Pakistan clawed their way back. Pakistan may have missed a trick by not bowling Abrar Ahmed out despite his double strike, in the next over. Instead, they allowed a partnership to develop,
New Zealand do get past 200 before being bowled out! When Mark Chapman was in full flow, they seemed on course for a bigger total than the 204 they eventually posted. However, at 164/7, it looked like they might fall short of the 200-run mark. It turned out to be a case of Chapman versus Pakistan. It was essentially Chapman versus Pakistan. After Chapman's brilliant 94, the next highest score in the top 6 was just 19 from Tim Seifert at the top of the order, which sums up the story of New Zea
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, ! GONE! CAUGHT! New Zealand have been bowled out!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, On a good length, at the pads, Ben Sears looks to whip across to the leg side, but the ball ricochets off the thigh pad. Lobs and lands near the strip on the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Put down? That was bludgeoned like a bullet!
Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Jacob Duffy, Leg bye.
Who will bowl the last over? It will be Abbas Afridi. 2-0-22-1 so far for Abbas.
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Four!
Haris Rauf to Ben Sears, Full and angling into the pads, Ben Sears flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, ! c Mohammad Haris b Haris Rauf.
Ben Sears is the last man in.
Haris Rauf to Jacob Duffy, Some casual running there by Duffy. Just saved as he drags the bat in time at the non-striker's end.
Jacob Duffy walks in.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, ! BOWLED! CLEANED HIM UP! Haris Rauf gets his second wicket and New Zealand are 193/8.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, On the stumps, on the pads, Ish Sodhi hops across and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, ! An expensive over from Shaheen. On the fuller side, angling into the pads, Michael Bracewell picks it up well and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. New Zealand are up and running again. 17 runs from Shaheen's last over.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a length. Left alone.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, MISFIELD, ! No, that won't help Pakistan at all. Shaheen, by the looks of him, is fuming.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, WIDE! Speared down the leg stump line. Michael Bracewell lets it be. A good diving stop by Mohammad Haris to his right, behind the stumps.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Another fuller one, on off, played into the off side for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, ! Much needed for New Zealand!Â
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Very full, around off, Michael Bracewell shovels it down to the right of long on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, Around the stumps, an attempted yorker on off, Ish Sodhi bends low and carves it out to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, At 135 kph, on middle and on a good length, skidding off the deck, Ish Sodhi hops across and taps it to the mid-wicket region for a quick single. An excellent over by Haris Rauf. Just three runs from it. His figures read 3-0-21-1 so far.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Length-delivery, around off, Michael Bracewell stays on the back foot and punches it through cover and point for a single.
Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Aims the stumps, does Rauf, on a good length, Michael Bracewell gets behind it and blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Shorter in length, outside off, Ish Sodhi plays it late, opens the bat face and glides it down to deep third for a single.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, Back of a length, skidding through off the deck, on off, Ish Sodhi hops on the back foot and stabs it on the surface.
Haris Rauf to Ish Sodhi, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full again, this is driven traight to mid off.Â
Shadab Khan to Ish Sodhi, Full on the off stumps. Ish Sodhi clips it to wide long on. A single to get off the mark.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Four!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, ? Or not? No, two runs saved in the field! A short ball, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Shaheen Afridi runs across and throws himself to the right to stop the ball, gets his hands to it and flicks it in the arena, but gets in a bit of a tangle as Irfan Khan from deep mid-wicket converges in and almost collides Shaheen, as the latter tries to keep the ball inside the field of play. Irfa
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Full on the leg stump, worked back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
Abrar Ahmed to Kyle Jamieson, ! BOWLED! Action-replay and Abrar Ahmed picks up another wicket, and is on a HAT TRICK!
Kyle Jamieson walks in.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! OUTFOXED! Pakistan keep chipping in with wickets at crucial phases. This is a nicely tossed-up delivery by Abrar, a deceptive wrong'un, landed on the middle and leg stump line, on a fuller length. Mitchell Hay shapes up to tonk it into the stands but ends up playing the wrong line, as he fails to read the googly off the bowler's hand. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad and crashes into the wickets.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Good length, turning into the batter, Michael Bracewell works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, ! BANG! Another one, on the shorter side, on the leg stump line, Michael Bracewell hangs back and pauses for a bit to let the ball arrive. Swings across and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Back of a length, at the stumps, worked past mid on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, ! That's hit into the orbit!
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Six!
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Nagging length, on the pads, Michael Bracewell defends it to mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, On a good length, around off, Michael Bracewell pushes it towards mid on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! CAUGHT! A heartbreak for Mark Chapman as he misses out a well-deserved hundred here! He goes for 94 runs off just 44 balls. Shaheen Afridi picks up his second wicket as he bowls it slower again, on a good length and outside off, keeps it away from the batter.Â
Who walks out?
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! WHACKED! Afridi keeps it slower and short of a length, well outside off, offers width, Mark Chapman gives himself room by going to the leg side. He slices it over extra cover for a boundary.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Takes the pace off, back of a length, around middle, Mitchell Hay nudges it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and runs off for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Hay, Hard length, around off, Hay chops it out towards short third man.Â
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Abbas Afridi to Mitchell Hay, On a good length, just outside off, Hay drops it down to cover.
Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, ! LBW! GONE! Abbas Afridi breaks a partnership here!Â
Who walks in?
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, On a good length, around off, Chapman chips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! STREAKY! Haris bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Mark Chapman swivels and looks to hook it. He gets hurried by the pace as the ball takes the top edge of the bat and flies over the keeper behind the wicket. The third umpire checks it and calls a six.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! PUNISHED!
Abbas Afridi (1-0-9-0) returns to the attack, replacing Shadab Khan.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around off, Mark pushes it to long on for a single to end the over.
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Wide!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, Four!
Salman Agha to Mark Chapman, ! THUMPED! Drops it short and just outside off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and slogs it down the ground over long on for a biggie.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 1 run.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, 4 Byes.
Salman Agha to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham slices it through the outer half of the bat towards backward point. He wants to have a single but is sent back by his partner.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! Good shot! Quicker and flatter, on the pads, Mark Chapman comes down the track and flicks it aerially over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, 1 run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Nagging length, around middle and leg, Chapman pushes it to long on for another single.
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Floated it up, around off and middle, James Neesham chips it aerially towards long on and takes a single.Â
Shadab Khan to James Neesham, Tossed it up, around off, James Neesham nudges it to mid-wicket.
DRINKS. The wicket of Daryl Mitchell has just come at the right time for Pakistan as that third wicket stand had just started to threaten the tourists.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, ! CAUGHT! Pakistan make a breakthrough here and Shadab Khan picks up a crucial wicket here!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, ! CLUBBED! A big over for New Zealand again! Nagging length, but on the pads, Mark Chapman transfers his weight to the back foot and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball sails just over the fielder in the deep.Â
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.
Khushdil Shah to Daryl Mitchell, ! TOP SHOT!
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Tossed it up, around off and middle, Mark pushes it to long off for a single this time.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.
Quick chops and changes in the bowling from Pakistan. Here's Khushdil Shah into the attack for the first time this evening. He replaces Haris Rauf.
Khushdil Shah to Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman completes his 9th T20I fifty!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, around middle, Chapman pushes it to long on for a single. Moved to 49.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, ! HELPS ON ITS WAY! Fires in on the pads again, not a great line to a set batter, Mark Chapman goes a bit low and flicks it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Dragged length, around middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Â
Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floated it up, on the pads, Mark Chapman bends her back and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.
Shadab Khan is introduced into the attack. He replaces Abbas Afridi.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hard length, on the pads, Mark uses his wrists to turn it to deep square leg for a single to end the over.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs in short of a length, around middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell goes back and clips it to deep square leg for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Back of a length, around off, Mark Chapman swings at it and chips it aerially to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Hits the deck hard, on short of a length, into the body, Mark Chapman swivels and pulls it along the ground wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, ! PUT AWAY!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Good effort by the skipper Salman Agha! Back of a length from over the wicket, around off, Mark Chapman uses his feet and flat-bats at it towards mid off. Salman puts in a dive to his right and saves two runs for his side.
Change? No. Rauf to continue. He is 1-0-7-1 so far.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Another risky single taken! Mark Chapman had given up and had the throw hit, it would have been curtains for him. Full and straight, at the stumps, Mark pats it straight to mid on and sets off for a single. Rauf collects and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Around off, on the fuller side, Daryl Mitchell extends his hands into the shot and eases the drive past cover. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the ropes and it is cut off. Three runs taken.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, A stifled appeal for caught behind but turned down! A nip-backer from Abbas, on a good length, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets his hands out in front and presents a straight bat to defend. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge and it brushes the back pad on its way to the keeper. Good diving grab to his left by Mohammad Haris but the replays show that there was no bat involved.
Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, ! Agricultural but effective! This is on a back of a length, this sits up to be hit, Daryl Mitchell swings a bit too hard to go across the line. The bat turns in his hand and it comes off the inner half to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, A bit more effort on this one by Abbas, on a hard length, on middle, Mark drops it beside the pitch on the leg side and crosses over. 50 up for New Zealand!
Well, for those who are wondering why has been the hydration break taken so early, it is because the Pakistani players are breaking their Ramzan fast. So, an unofficial drinks break has been called upon. The Pakistani players help themselves with water and some strategies are being discussed around as well.
Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Starts from around the wicket and offers a bit of width, on a back of a length, Chapman thumps it on the bounce to extra cover.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, This skids through and hurries the batter up, on a hard length, on off, Mark gets on his toes to keep it out. The ball goes off the inside edge of the bat and sneaks past the stumps for a single.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Risky single! At the stumps, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Rauf runs to his right and gets to the ball quickly but fails to gather it cleanly, allowing the batters to complete the run.
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Four!
Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Angling away, on a length, Chapman firms the drive to mid off.
Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, No run.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Haris Rauf makes an instant impact! Both Kiwi openers, who have been a thorn in the flesh for Pakistan this series, are gone inside the Powerplay. A cross-seam delivery from Rauf, on a good length, on middle and leg, Seifert backs away and tries to launch it down the ground but the ball comes on slower than he expected it to. He is early into the shot and skies it straight up towards mid on where Salman Agha settles under it and does the
Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4.
Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, Wide! Sprays it down leg first up does Rauf, Tim misses the tickle. Wide given.
Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, ! Excellent shot! Floated up, on a nagging length, on off, Chapman walks across and gets close to the line of the ball. Gets on a knee and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Four!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Sees the batter backing away and Abrar follows him. Tim tucks it wide of square leg and steals a quick single. Abrar is not pleased with the throw going to the batting end and he felt it should have gone to his end.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, A bit slower and fuller, on middle, Chapman steps out and eases the drive to long on for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, This skids through, short in length, Chapman whips it straight to mid-wicket.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, No run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, 1 run.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, This comes on slower than the batter expected, on a back of a length, around leg, Chapman looks to pull it away but misses as the ball stays a bit low and brushes his shirt.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! At 122 kph, a cross-seam delivery that takes off after landing on the seam. Mark Chapman gets into a tangle as he rises to ride the bounce. The ball takes the shoulder of the bat and lands safely beside the pitch on the off side.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Four!
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, ! Easy pickings! Too straight, sliding onto the hips with the angle, Mark hangs back and helps it past short fine leg for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Play and a miss! Outside off, on a good length, Mark Chapman looks to flay it away on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Six!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Had the throw hit, Chapman was gone! Run out chance missed by Pakistan! Floated up, on middle, Seifert stabs it down beside the pitch on the leg side. Chapman sets off for a single and is more than halfway through the run.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Cracking shot!
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, ! Up and over! Sliding on with the arm, right in the arc, on middle and leg, Seifert clears his front leg and mows it over mid on for a boundary.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Flat and short, on off, Tim rocks back and cuts it straight to cover-point.
Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Pushes it across the left-hander from over the wicket, Chapman punches it down to long on with a straight bat for a single.
Oh, spin to operate from the far end. Here's Abrar Ahmed.
Shaheen Afridi to Mark Chapman, Angling back into the pads, on a length, Chapman nudges it wide of mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.
Mark Chapman is in at number 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, ! WHAT A GRAB! A 'Superman effort' from Haris Rauf and Finn Allen cannot believe his luck!
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Takes pace off and drags the length back, on middle, Tim is a bit early into the heave and gets it to the left of the left of deep fine leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi is having a bit of an issue with his boot. Seems like the grass got stuck in his shoe and it is being removed now.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Leg bye! Afridi strays on the pads, on a length, Allen has a swing at it to get it behind square on the leg side but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg.
Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on off, Finn mistimes the drive off the inner half to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Tim Seifert and ââââNew Zealand are underway! Shaping back into the pads from over the wicket, a bit too full, Tim glances it down to deep fine leg for a single.
Well then, done with all the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the action underway here at Eden Park. It's a cool pleasant evening, a perfect atmosphere for the game of cricket to progress. A good crowd has also turned up in the stands. The two umpires are out to the middle, and so are the players of Pakistan, who take their respective fielding positions. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are the two openers for New Zealand. And the new ball is tossed up to Shaheen Afridi. He will begin
We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, Michael Bracewell and Salman Agha will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Pakistan first, followed by that of New Zealand.
The skipper of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell says they are comfortable batting first. Also mentions about the stats suggesting that it's a good batting deck. Says the new ball bowlers have done really well for them and is hopeful that they will do better again in this game.
The captain of Pakistan, Salman Agha says that they just wanted to have a total on the board to chase which is why they chose to bowl first. Informs that they have made two changes to the side with Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed coming in for this game. Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ali are the ones missing out.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi (In for Jahandad Khan), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed (In for Mohammad Ali).
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson (In for Zakary Foulkes), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.Â