In the second Twenty20 match held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s left-arm bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir showcased their prowess, contributing to New Zealand’s downfall as they were bundled out for a mere 90 runs.
Leading the bowling attack, Shaheen delivered a stellar performance, securing figures of 3-13, while Amir, marking his return to international cricket after nearly four years, impressed with figures of 2-13.
Amir openly expressed his emotions regarding his comeback, acknowledging the pressure that came with it. He credited his teammates, especially Shaheen and skipper Babar Azam, for their unwavering support during this period.
“The feeling of playing for your country is indescribable. There was definitely pressure, considering I was making a comeback after four years. The boys, particularly Shaheen and Babar, deserve all the credit for boosting my confidence,” Amir shared.
Babar and Amir in his role as captain, highlighted the significance of the early bowling performance in shaping the match’s outcome.
“Establishing dominance within the first six overs is crucial in this setting,” Babar explained. “The exceptional bowling efforts by Naseem, Shaheen, and Amir were instrumental in providing us with early breakthroughs,” he added.
In the chase, Mohammad Rizwan played a pivotal role, anchoring Pakistan’s innings with an unbeaten 45 off 34 balls, including a six and four boundaries. His composed batting ensured Pakistan comfortably reached the target in 12.1 overs, securing a convincing seven-wicket victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
