On Friday in Lahore, Pakistan celebrated captain Babar Azam’s 100th international match in the shortest format with a decisive 88-run victory over New Zealand.
Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub put on a 79-run partnership for the third wicket and scored 47 runs each to help Pakistan reach 182 all out in 19.5 overs after Azam failed with just nine runs.
One of five players who had been rested during Pakistan’s previous series against Afghanistan, fast bowler Haris Rauf, recorded career-best figures of 4-18 as New Zealand was bowled out for 94 in 15.3 overs.
Imad Wasim, a left-arm spinner, concluded with 2-2 in his sole over and claimed both of his wickets on consecutive deliveries.
Tom Latham made 24-ball 20, while Mark Chapman recorded the highest score with 27-ball 34 that included four boundaries and a six.
4-22 was Rauf’s previous highest T20 score against New Zealand in Sharjah in 2021.
Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Zaman and Ayub helped Pakistan recover from a rough start.
When bowler Adam Milne bowled Mohammad Rizwan leg-before for eight and then Azam for 30, Pakistan lost both of their openers.
Before hitting a six off spinner Ish Sodhi in the tenth over, Ayub and Zaman increased the pace with two boundaries each off Milne and Ben Lister.
Zaman’s 34-ball innings included four boundaries and two sixes, while Ayub’s quick 28-ball innings included two sixes and six fours.
Ayub was run out while attempting a second run, and Zaman was then caught by Sodhi at deep square-leg.
Pakistan added 47 runs in the final five overs thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s 16-ball 22, Wasim’s 16 off 13 balls, and their combined efforts
With 3-32, Henry stood out among the New Zealand bowlers as Pakistan was dismissed on the penultimate delivery.
Lister finished with numbers of 2-30, whereas Milne had 2-51.
The final two games will be played at Rawalpindi (April 20 and 24) and Lahore (April 15, 17).
