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We are back for the chase!

â¦THE RUN CHASEâ¦Â Â

Right then, New ZealandÂ needs 136 runs to go 2-0 up in the series. Can they do it or will PakistanÂ show some fight and come back hard with the ball?Â We shall find out. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Ish SodhiÂ is up for a chat.

New ZealandÂ were tidy with the ball and on the field. They took their catches and never allowed Pakistan to get away with the game. It was a combined effort from all the bowlers where Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi, all chipped in with a couple of wickets each and kept the visitors to a below par score.Â

A slightly improved batting effort from Pakistan gets them to a decent score of 135/9 from their 15 overs. Having been sent into bat first, PakistanÂ struggled early on and lost their openers early but Salman AghaÂ played an impressive knock of 46 off 28 balls and kept the innings together. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and Salman AghaÂ too fell in the 10th over. Handy cameos from Shadab KhanÂ and Shaheen AfridiÂ took the score past the 130-run mark.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, ! RUN OUT! James NeeshamÂ bowls another wide yorker, on off, Shaheen AfridiÂ jams it out towards sweeper covers and turns around for the second. Michael BracewellÂ is quick to pick up the ball and throw it at the bowler's end on the bounce. James NeeshamÂ collects it and breaks the stumps with Rauf well short of his crease. PakistanÂ finishes on 135/9!

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, A low full toss, outside off, Shaheen AfridiÂ drills it towards deep point for a couple of runs. CanÂ AfridiÂ finish the innings on a high?

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, Gets the wide yorker right this time, outside off, angling away, Shaheen AfridiÂ fails to dig it out.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, ! BANG! He connects this time alright! Pitched up and around off again, in the slot this tie. Shaheen AfridiÂ clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. That ball seems to have been lost. Oh..wait! Someone in the crowd has found it and throws it over on the field. We are good to go!

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, A slower one, full again and around off, Shaheen AfridiÂ goes through his slog sweep early and misses again.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, Goes fuller again but a bit too outside off, angling further away, Shaheen AfridiÂ fails to reach out for it. Wided.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, A dot to start the last over! Fuller one and on off, angling away, Shaheen AfridiÂ looks to slog it across the line but misses.

Zakary Foulkes to Shaheen Afridi, Full and on the pads, Shaheen AfridiÂ clips it through square leg for one and keeps the strike.

Zakary Foulkes to Shaheen Afridi, Four!

Zakary Foulkes to Shaheen Afridi, ! Smacked away! Zakary FoulkesÂ goes a bit fuller this time, on middle and off. Shaheen AfridiÂ backs away and smashes it through extra covers for a boundary.

Zakary Foulkes to Shaheen Afridi, Swing and a miss! Zakary FoulkesÂ bangs this one hard into the pitch, outside off. Shaheen AfridiÂ swings wildly across the line but only connects with thin air.

Zakary Foulkes to Haris Rauf, Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Haris RaufÂ gets cramped up and tucks it to the leg side for a run.

Zakary Foulkes to Shaheen Afridi, Short of a length and outside off, Shaheen AfridiÂ throws his bat at it and slices it on the bounce to third man for a single.

Haris RaufÂ walks in at number 9.

James Neesham to Abdul Samad, ! TAKEN! James NeeshamÂ gets two wickets in the over! Good length delivery on off. Abdul SamadÂ looks to clear the infield but it comes high off the bat and lobs up toward the mid-off region. Daryl MitchellÂ there, takes a simple catch. PakistanÂ are eight down now.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, Hard-length delivery outside off. Shaheen AfridiÂ slaps this to deep cover for a single.

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, Pace-off delivery, on a length, just outside off. Shaheen AfridiÂ swings and misses.Â

James Neesham to Shaheen Afridi, Back of a length delivery, around off. Shaheen AfridiÂ gets on top of the bounce and steers it to deep backward point for a brace.

Shaheen AfridiÂ comes in at number 9.

James Neesham to Jahandad Khan, ! TAKEN! James NeeshamÂ gets among the wickets! Slower ball on a length, around off. Jahandad KhanÂ clears the front leg and looks to swing hard at it. It comes off the cue end and slices it toward the extra cover region. Zakary FoulkesÂ runs around and takes a good catch. PakistanÂ are crumbling now.

James Neesham to Abdul Samad, On a length, around off. Abdul SamadÂ taps into the off-side for a single.

Jacob Duffy to Jahandad Khan, Good length delivery at the stumps. Jahandad KhanÂ defends from the crease.Â

Jacob Duffy to Shadab Khan, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust!Â

Who comes now?

Abdul SamadÂ looks in some pain. The physio comes in for the treatment. The magic spray comes out and Abdul SamadÂ looks to good to go now.

Jacob Duffy to Abdul Samad, LEG BYE! Pace-off, back of a length, around the right shoulder. Abdul SamadÂ is early into the pull shot, comes off the body and lobs toward the gully region for a leg bye.Â

Jacob Duffy to Shadab Khan, Back of a length outside off. Shadab KhanÂ cuts it uppishly to deep backward point for one.

Jacob Duffy to Shadab Khan, Four!

Jacob Duffy to Shadab Khan, WIDE! Slower bumper, wide outside off. Shadab KhanÂ thinks about slapping it but lets it go at the last moment. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Jacob Duffy to Shadab Khan, ! CRUNCHED! Pitched full, outside off. Shadab KhanÂ picks it early and thrashes it over the extra cover fence for a flat six.

Michael Bracewell to Shadab Khan, Low full toss on off. Shadab KhanÂ clips it toward deep mid-wicket and calls for the second. James NeeshamÂ in the deep, collects it quickly and throws it at the bowler's end. Shadab KhanÂ had left his crease for the second but puts the dive and gets back in time.Â

Michael Bracewell to Abdul Samad, Tossed up on off. Abdul SamadÂ slog-sweeps it toward deep square leg for a couple.

Michael Bracewell to Abdul Samad, Six!

Michael Bracewell to Shadab Khan, Tosses it on a length, turning into the middle and leg. Shadab KhanÂ looks to heave but it comes off the pad and rolls to the left of the keeper.

Michael Bracewell to Shadab Khan, ! TOP SHOT! Tad short, on off. Shadab KhanÂ makes room and smashes it through covers for a cracking boundary.

Michael Bracewell to Abdul Samad, Flatter and quicker at the stumps. Abdul SamadÂ gets some bat on it and works it through backward square leg for one.

Ben Sears to Shadab Khan, Back of a length, around off. Shadab KhanÂ looks to pull but it comes off the cue end, rolls to the keeper.

Ben Sears to Shadab Khan, ! SMOKED! Slower ball on the full, around off. Shadab KhanÂ gets low, picks it early, and deposits it over deep square leg for a maximum.Â

Ben Sears to Shadab Khan, Back of a length, outside off. Shadab KhanÂ charges down the pitch, swings, and misses.

Abdul SamadÂ walks in at number 7.

Ben Sears to Abdul Samad, 1 run.

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, HOLES ! BEN SEARS GETS THE PAKISTAN SKIPPER! Short of a length delivery, around off. Salman AghaÂ looks to muscle the pull but fails to get the desired connection. The ball goes toward the deep square leg region. Mark ChapmanÂ moves to his left and takes a sharp catch. PakistanÂ have lost half of their side now.

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, Short of a length, rising delivery, around off. Salman AghaÂ looks to cut but misses.

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, Full and quick, just outside off. Bunted past the bowler for a single.

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, Wrong'un, on off. Salman AghaÂ nudges it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, ! PUNISHED! Short and wide outside off. Salman AghaÂ plays it away from the body and cuts it toward deep backward point for an easy boundary.Â

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, ! WHACKED! Tad short, on the middle. Salman AghaÂ advances and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket boundary. Sails comfortably over the ropes for a biggie.Â

Ish Sodhi to Shadab Khan, Drifted on the pad. Shadab KhanÂ half pulls it to long-leg for one.

Ish Sodhi to Shadab Khan, Tossed up wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Shadab KhanÂ comes forward and defends it.

Time for Drinks! PakistanÂ have lost four wickets but have scored at a fair clip today. Salman AghaÂ is looking in good form and will be key for PakistanÂ to get toward a competitive score. New Zealand, meanwhile, have taken wickets regularly and will look to carry on in a similar manner.

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, On a length, outside off. Salman AghaÂ flays and misses.Â

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, Back of a length, rising delivery, around off. Salman AghaÂ plays and misses at it.

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, ! WHIPPED! Pace-off delivery, on a length, outside off. Salman AghaÂ drags it from outside and smokes it high over deep square leg for half a dozen.Â

Ben Sears to Shadab Khan, Good length ball, at the stumps. Shadab KhanÂ tucks it toward mid-wicket for one.

Shadab KhanÂ walks in at number 6.

Ben Sears to Shadab Khan, On a length, wide outside off. Shadab KhanÂ cuts it through covers for a couple.

Ben Sears to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Ish Sodhi to Khushdil Shah, ! TAKEN!Â Ish SodhiÂ gets his second!Â

Khushdil ShahÂ walks in at number 5.

Ish Sodhi to Khushdil Shah, Leg break, on the middle and leg stump line. Khushdil ShahÂ nudges it through mid-wicket for a couple to get off the mark.

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, Flatter on off. Salman AghaÂ shimmies down and blocks it onto the pitch.

Ish Sodhi to Irfan Khan, ! CAUGHT!Â

Ish Sodhi to Salman Agha, LEG BYE! Tossed up googly, on off. Salman AghaÂ comes forward for the defence but the ball comes off the pad and rolls to short third for a leg bye. Half an appeal but the umpire was unmoved.

Ish Sodhi to Irfan Khan, Tad short, on off. Irfan KhanÂ nudges it through square leg for one.

Time for some spin. Ish SodhiÂ comes on now.Â

James Neesham to Salman Agha, Short of a length, angled into the off-stump line. Salman AghaÂ moves across for the pull but gets the top edgeÂ onto the helmet.Â The ball rolls to backward point. The physio comes for a mandatory concussion check. Salman AghaÂ looks fine to carry on.

James Neesham to Salman Agha, In the air but safe! Short ball, around the left shoulder. Salman AghaÂ shuffles across for the pull but gets the top edge that flies down to fine leg region for a couple of streaky runs.

James Neesham to Salman Agha, ! PUT AWAY! On a length, wide outside off. Salman AghaÂ cuts it over the backward point region and collects another boundary.

James Neesham to Salman Agha, ! ALL THE WAY! Slower ball on the full, outside off. Salman AghaÂ moves across and goes through with the shot. Lofts it over the wide long-off fence for a biggie.Â

James Neesham to Salman Agha, Back of a length, around off. Salman AghaÂ swings and misses.Â

James Neesham to Salman Agha, Goes short, just outside off. Salman AghaÂ goes for the pull but fails to connect.

James NeeshamÂ gets the ball now.Â

Zakary Foulkes to Irfan Khan, Pitched full, at the stumps. Irfan KhanÂ plays a short-arm jab and flicks it just in front of the short mid-wicket fielder.

Zakary Foulkes to Irfan Khan, ! SMACKED! Short ball, angled into the middle and leg stump line. Irfan KhanÂ backs away and swats it hard through mid-wicket. The ball has enough legs to beat the fielder and get to the ropes for four runs.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, Short of a length, on the middle and leg. Salman AghaÂ pulls this to deep square leg for one.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, No run.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, Short of a length, angled down the leg. Salman AghaÂ pulls it toward long-leg region for a couple.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, ! CRUNCHED! Back of a length delivery, wide outside off. Salman AghaÂ accepts the width and cuts it over the point fielder for a cracking boundary.

Ben Sears to Irfan Khan, Back of a length again, just outside off. Irfan KhanÂ advances for the swat but it comes off the cue end and lands just in front of the short cover fielder. Daryl MitchellÂ there, has a shy at the bowler's end but Salman AghaÂ gets back in the crease.

Ben Sears to Irfan Khan, ! BOOM! Good length delivery, on the middle and leg stump line. Irfan KhanÂ shimmies down the pitch and lofts it cleanly over the wide long-on fence for half a dozen. That was a classy hit.

Ben Sears to Irfan Khan, Back of a length delivery, outside off. Irfan KhanÂ flays and misses at it.

Ben Sears to Irfan Khan, No run.

Ben Sears to Irfan Khan, Short of a length, on the off-stump line. Irfan KhanÂ gets behind the line and defends.

Who comes now?

Ben Sears to Mohammad Haris, ! TAKEN!Â

Ben SearsÂ comes into the attack now.Â

Jacob Duffy to Mohammad Haris, LEG BYE! Hard-length delivery, angled into the middle. Mohammad HarisÂ swings across the line and it comes off the thigh pad, rolls to deep third for a leg bye.Â

Jacob Duffy to Salman Agha, Low full toss on off. Salman AghaÂ looks to drive but it comes off the inner half, past the bowler, and toward mid-on for one.

Jacob Duffy to Salman Agha, Back of a length, angled into the middle. Salman AghaÂ blocks from the crease.

Jacob Duffy to Salman Agha, ! OVER THE TOP! Good length delivery on the middle and leg stump line. Salman AghaÂ shimmies down the pitch, makes room, and lifts it inside out over extra cover for a majestic boundary.Â

Jacob Duffy to Mohammad Haris, On a length, on off. Mohammad HarisÂ taps into the off-side and takes a quick single.

Jacob Duffy to Mohammad Haris, Pitched full, just outside off. Mohammad HarisÂ charges down for the drive but fails to make the contact. Misses the off-stump by a whisker.

Zakary Foulkes to Mohammad Haris, In the air but lands safe! Good length delivery, just outside off. Mohammad HarisÂ gets across to play the scoop but it comes off the inner half, gets the edge onto the pad, and lobs up to the left of the keeper. The batters cross for a risky single.Â

Zakary Foulkes to Mohammad Haris, On a length, around off. Mohammad HarisÂ swings and misses.Â

Zakary Foulkes to Mohammad Haris, Four!

Zakary Foulkes to Mohammad Haris, ! MUSCLED! Fuller than a length, angled into the middle. Mohammad HarisÂ swings hard and hoicks it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, Lands it on a length, around off. Salman AghaÂ runs it down to deep third for a single.

Zakary Foulkes to Salman Agha, On a length, wide outside off. Salman AghaÂ shuffles across and cuts this to backward point.

Zakary FoulkesÂ will share the attack.Â

Jacob Duffy to Mohammad Haris, Fuller than a length nipping away, around off. Mohammad HarisÂ flays and misses at this one. A tidy start from Jacob Duffy.

Jacob Duffy to Salman Agha, Good length delivery, just outside off. Dabbed down to deep third forÂ a single.Â

Jacob Duffy to Hasan Nawaz, ! c Mark Chapman b Jacob Duffy.

Who comes now??

Jacob Duffy to Hasan Nawaz, Short of a good length, on the middle and leg. Hasan NawazÂ gets behind the line and defends from the crease.

Jacob Duffy to Hasan Nawaz, Good length delivery, attacking the stumps. Hasan NawazÂ offers full face of the bat and blocks it forward.

Jacob Duffy to Mohammad Haris, Pakistan are away! Pitched full and angled into the middle and leg stump line. Mohammad HarisÂ clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

We are done with the pre-match formalities. The players are making their way out to the middle. Mohammad HarisÂ and Hasan NawazÂ will open the batting for Pakistan. It will be Jacob DuffyÂ with the ball in hand for New Zealand. Let's play...

The teams and match officials make their way to the ground for the National Anthems. We start with the anthem of Pakistan, followed by that of New Zealand. Live action is coming shortly.

Pitch Report - Grant Elliott and Frankie MacKay are at the pitchside. They share that the pitch has a nice covering of grass and will do a bit for the seamers. They add that there will be some sideways movement and a bit of bounce and that will skid on nicely. They mention thatÂ it will be a challenge for the spinners with short boundaries on either side.

Salman Agha, the skipper of Pakistan says that they are aware of putting in a good effort today. States that when you come to New Zealand, there will be extra bounce and they are ready for it. Adds that they have a talented squad and they are looking forward to this game. Ends by sharing that Haris Rauf comes in for Abrar Ahmed.

Michael Bracewell, the skipper of New Zealand says that they will bowl. Adds that they pitch has been under covers so there might be something for the bowlers early on. Shares that it was a perfect template in the last game and hopes to keep the winning momentum. Ends by mentioning the changes with Kyle Jamieson and Tim Robinson are not playing. In come Ben Sears and JamesÂ Neesham.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham (in for Tim Robinson), Mitchell Hay(WK), Michael Bracewell(C), Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears (in for Kyle Jamieson).Â

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris(WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha(C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf (in for Abrar Ahmed), Mohammad Ali.

Toss Update -Â New ZealandÂ have won the toss and opted to BOWL.Â