AucklandAs Mohammad Amirs return was simply accepted by the world cricket and crowd in stands after serving a lengthy five year ban, the all-round performance from Pakistan in first T20 International match of three-match series not only responded well, but thrashed in-form hosts by 16 runs even after blistering knock from Colin Munro.
Eden Park, the orange shaped venue is something that has witnessed the sensational finishes for being too small and today was not that different as the ground was too small for the batters of both teams.
It was one of those evenings where whatever happened wrong earlier for visitors with fall of wickets in quick succession and later Pakistan captain dropping a catch on the bowling of comeback man, Mohammad Aamir, turned gold as the team effort had put the curtain on errors in a thriller.
Earlier, Pakistan was opted to bat first and they set 172 runs target. Afridi, the cheeky 35-year-old was right in the thick of it as he scored 23 from 8 balls, took 2-26 from four overs with the ball, took two spectacular catches and created a run out under pressure.
Chasing what is called as par at the Auckland 172 to win, the Kiwis got off to a slow start when a mix up between skipper Williamson and Martin Guptill saw the latter run out in the second over.
South African-born Colin Munro, who has come of age in international cricket, changed the game with his 56 from 27 balls. When he departed a batting collapse saw the visitors take hold of the match.
The middle order, which has seen such little cricket in recent time because of the dominant performances of the top order, was exposed under pressure as five wickets fell for 19 runs.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who was quick between the wickets scored 70 from 60 balls when he was not at his best but still good enough to be the mainstay of the innings and give New Zealand an outside chance of victory by going on for late onslaught. When he was caught on the boundary in the final over, New Zealand’s were dashed.
Corey Anderson (0) went second ball and Grant Elliott (3) and Luke Ronchi (0) fell in a double-wicket maiden from Pakistan’s enigmatic skipper.
Mitchell Santner was undone the following over as Afridi reeled in a quite incredible sprawling catch at cover and from there the New Zealand never recovered.
After fending off questions this week about how the captaincy would affect his batting, Williamson looked like a man under pressure throughout his scratchy innings.
The 24-year-old began without any touch until he found his trademark timing for his fourth T20 half century.
Williamson played a part in running out the man of the moment Guptill. He ran on the shot to deep cover and Afridi threw superbly to remove New Zealand’s dangerman before he got going.
The New Zealand skipper tried in vein to make up for his mistake – to run past Guptill to be the man out – but it was too late and the opener did not turn around on his long walk back to the pavilion.
Williamson should have been out on five when he tried to hit Mohammad Amir, making his first international appearance in five years, over long off. Afridi went from hero to zero as he dropped the simplest of catches to a big roar from the locals. It was his only mistake of the night.
New Zealand’s best with the bat was Munro. The 29-year-old, who last Sunday recorded the second fastest half century in T20 cricket in the nine wicket win against Sri Lanka, delivered another innings of incredible hitting at his home ground to entertain the 21,183-strong crowd.
Munro, who hit six sixes and two fours in rapid fire, departed when he was bowled by Wahab Riaz in the 10th over.
For Pakistan Wahab Riaz got three wickets, and Umer Gul and Shahid Afridi each picked two wickets. Muhammad Amir bagged one wicket.
The New Zealand bowling attack did well to restrict Pakistan. The visitors – led by a superb innings from Mohammad Hafeez (61 from 47 balls) and a cameo of clean hitting from Afridi – posted a competitive 171-8.
Pace bowler Adam Milne was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers as he finished with career best T20 figures of 4-37 from his four overs. Left-arm off spinner Santner was also effective with 2-14 to turn the match back in favour of the hosts.
Leg spinner Todd Astle, who became the 68th cricketer to represent New Zealand in T20 cricket, went wicketless on debut with figures of 0-28 from his three overs.
Pakistan’s captain Shahid Afridi, in all sort of form was the main figure throughout the match and though was an easy choice for the man of the match award.
New Zealand would like to recover in the second T20 international in Hamilton on Sunday.
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