Cricket

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi played pivotal roles in securing a thrilling nine-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final Twenty20 International (T20I) in Lahore on Saturday.Azam's solid half-century (69 off 44 balls) and Fakhar Zaman's contribution (43 off 33 balls) propelled Pakistan to a competitive total of 178 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Afridi then showcased his exceptional bowling skills, claiming four wickets for 30 runs, restricting New Zealand to 169 all out in 19.2 overs.The match remained tense until the final over, with New Zealand's Josh Clarkson threatening an upset with his unbeaten 38. However, two crucial run-outs in Mohammad Amir's over sealed the victory for Pakistan, much to the delight of the packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium.The series, which ended in a 2-2 draw, served as valuable preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June. While Pakistan would have preferred a series win, they gained valuable insights into their squad's strength and areas for improvement.Afridi's impressive performance continued in the final match, as he dismissed Tom Blundell for four in his first over, marking his 15th wicket in his opening over of a T20I and his 50th overall in T20 matches. Tim Seifert provided some resistance for New Zealand with a quickfire 33-ball 52, but Pakistan's spinners, Usama Mir and Shadab Khan, played a crucial role in derailing the visitors' chase.Azam expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their efforts to test different combinations and assess their bench strength ahead of the World Cup. New Zealand's stand-in captain, Micheal Bracewell, acknowledged the competitive nature of the series and expressed his team's satisfaction with the draw.

New Zealand Opt to Bowl First in Series-Deciding T20I Against PakistanIn a crucial encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand have chosen to field first after winning the toss against Pakistan. The visitors, aiming to secure a 3-1 series victory, have made three changes to their lineup, two of which are enforced.Tim Robinson, Dean Foxcroft, and Jacob Duffy have been replaced by Zakary Foulkes, Tim Seifert, and Cole McConchie. Robinson suffered a groin injury, while Foxcroft was ruled out due to a back complaint.Pakistan, seeking to level the series, have recalled Shaheen Afridi to their side, with Zaman Khan making way. This is the final T20I Pakistan will play at home before embarking on tours to Ireland and England ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Pakistan Team:1. Babar Azam (capt)2. Saim Ayub3. Fakhar Zaman4. Usman Khan (wk)5. Iftikhar Ahmed6. Shadab Khan7. Imad Wasim8. Shaheen Afridi9. Usama Mir10. Abbas Afridi11. Mohammad AmirNew Zealand Team:1. Tom Blundell2. Tim Seifert (wk)3. Mark Chapman4. Cole McConchie5. Michael Bracewell (capt)6. Josh Clarkson7. James Neesham8. Zakary Foulkes9. Ish Sodhi10. Ben Sears11. Will O'RourkeWith the series on the line, both teams will be eager to put in a strong performance. New Zealand will look to their experienced bowlers, including Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears, to restrict Pakistan's batting lineup. Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely on their explosive batsmen, led by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, to post a competitive total.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.

Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I: Pakistan Aims to Level Series, New Zealand Eyes ClinchPakistan and New Zealand will face off in the decisive fifth T20I on Saturday, with both teams vying for victory. Pakistan seeks to level the series, while New Zealand aims to clinch it.In the fourth T20I, New Zealand emerged victorious by a narrow four-run margin. Tim Robinson's blistering knock and William O'Rourke's impressive bowling performance proved pivotal in their triumph. The match was a nail-biting thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Pakistan will be determined to bounce back and level the series. Their batting lineup, led by captain Babar Azam, will need to fire on all cylinders. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Asif Ali are also key players to watch.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident of sealing the series victory. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, has been in excellent form. Devon Conway and Martin Guptill have also been consistent performers with the bat.The fifth T20I promises to be another exciting encounter. Both teams have the potential to win, and the match could go down to the wire. Pakistan will be eager to level the series, while New Zealand will be determined to clinch it.

West Indies emerged victorious in a nail-biting one-run triumph over Pakistan in the inaugural women's T20I encounter in Karachi. The visitors, batting first, posted a modest 122 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal.However, West Indies' bowlers responded with equal determination, restricting Pakistan's chase and turning it into a tense affair that went down to the wire. In the end, it came down to two runs off the final delivery, but Shamilia Connell's accurate bowling and Shemaine Campbelle's swift run-out sealed the victory for the Caribbean side.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Iqbal dismissing Hayley Matthews for a duck on the second ball. Diana Baig then trapped Campbelle behind, leaving West Indies reeling at 14 for two. Qiana Joseph and Stafanie Taylor steadied the innings, but Pakistan's bowlers kept them in check.Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry provided valuable cameos, helping West Indies reach a run-a-ball mark. However, Pakistan maintained a slight edge at the halfway point.Pakistan's chase began promisingly, with Sidra Ameen's aggressive 23 putting them ahead of the required run rate. But the loss of Ameen and Gull Feroza in quick succession brought West Indies back into the game. Karishma Ramharack's dismissal of Ayesha Zafar further boosted West Indies' hopes.Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof's 24-ball 27 gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, but West Indies' bowlers held their nerve. The final over proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with Najiha Alvi's exquisite cover drive for four bringing Pakistan within touching distance of victory. However, Connell's dot ball and Campbelle's run-out ensured West Indies' triumph.

New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack, led by Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears, proved too strong for Pakistan in the third T20I in Lahore, securing a four-run victory and a 2-1 series lead.Chasing 179, Pakistan lost early wickets and struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Fakhar Zaman's spirited 61 kept Pakistan in the hunt, but his dismissal and that of Iftikhar Ahmed in consecutive overs sealed their fate. Imad Wasim's late surge kept the game alive, but Jimmy Neesham's tight final over denied Pakistan the victory.Earlier, New Zealand had posted 178 for 7, thanks to Tim Robinson's explosive 51 and Tom Blundell's quickfire start. Pakistan's bowlers, particularly Abbas Afridi, fought back in the middle overs, but New Zealand's bowlers held their nerve in the end.Abbas Afridi impressed with his accurate bowling, taking 3 for 20, while Shadab Khan made a stunning catch in the field. Sears and O'Rourke, both making their T20I debuts for New Zealand, played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan's scoring and taking key wickets.

Indonesian women's cricket team bowler Rohmalia Rohmalia has etched her name in the history books by recording the best bowling figures in the history of T20Is. The 17-year-old off-spinner's sensational spell of 3.2-3-0-7 against Mongolia on Wednesday broke the previous record held by Netherlands' Frederique Overdijk.Rohmalia's remarkable performance surpassed Overdijk's figures of 4-2-3-7 against France in 2021. She became the fourth bowler ever to take 7 wickets in a T20I match, joining Argentina Women's Alison Stocks and Malaysia's Syazrul Ezat Idrus.Her figures also represent the best by any bowler on debut, surpassing Nepal's Anjali Chand's 2.1-2-0-6 against Maldives in 2019.Rohmalia's bowling heroics played a crucial role in Indonesia's victory over Mongolia in the fifth T20I encounter. Batting first, Indonesia posted 151/5, with Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini top-scoring with 61.In response, Mongolia were bowled out for a mere 24 in 16.2 overs, with Rohmalia's spell proving too much to handle.Meanwhile, the West Indies 'A' cricket team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday for their upcoming five-match T20 series against the hosts. However, their arrival was met with a surprising welcome as a tempo was waiting outside the airport to transport their luggage.In a viral video, the West Indies players were seen loading their luggage into the tempo with the assistance of an airport helper.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz Requests Six-Hitting Contest, Coach IntervenesFormer Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz recently made a lighthearted request to current captain Babar Azam, asking to participate in a six-hitting competition before the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The request, captured in a video shared on Pakistan Cricket's official social media account, drew a chuckle from Azam and the team.However, Pakistan's head coach Azhar Mahmood stepped in to remind Riaz that management was not permitted to join the contest. Undeterred, Riaz quipped, "I would've hit bigger sixes."The video highlights the camaraderie between the former and current players of the Pakistan cricket team. Riaz's request, though denied, served as a reminder of his competitive spirit and the close bond he shares with the team.Injury Woes for Pakistan Ahead of Fourth T20IPakistan's preparations for the fourth T20I against New Zealand have been hampered by injuries to wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan and all-rounder Irfan Khan. Both players sustained hamstring injuries during the third match in Rawalpindi.The injuries are a significant blow to Pakistan, who are already without Azam Khan, who was ruled out before the series began due to a muscle tear. Haseebullah Khan, who was called up as a replacement, is expected to take on the wicketkeeping duties for the remaining two matches in Lahore.New Zealand Level Series with Victory in Third T20INew Zealand's second-string team emerged victorious in the third T20I by seven wickets, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. The first match of the series was abandoned after just two balls due to rain, while Pakistan won the second match by seven wickets.The fourth T20I will be played in Lahore on Friday, with the fifth and final match scheduled for Sunday. Pakistan will be looking to regain the lead in the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to secure their first series win in Pakistan since 2003.

Pakistan and New Zealand will face off in the fourth T20I of their five-match series on Thursday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after the first game was washed out and New Zealand won the second game by seven wickets.Pakistan will be looking to regain the momentum in the series after their loss in Rawalpindi. They will be boosted by the return of captain Babar Azam, who missed the second game due to a thumb injury. Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world and his presence will be a major boost for Pakistan.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their victory in the second game. They will be confident of their chances, especially after Mark Chapman's brilliant 87 in the previous match. Chapman is a dangerous batsman and he will be one to watch out for in the fourth T20I.Both teams are using this series as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies, which starts on June 2. Pakistan and New Zealand are both contenders for the title and they will be looking to use this series to fine-tune their preparations.The fourth T20I is expected to be a close and exciting contest. Pakistan will be looking to regain the momentum in the series, while New Zealand will be looking to build on their victory in the second game.

Pakistan's T20I Series Against New Zealand Hit by Injuries to Rizwan and NiaziPakistan's T20I series against New Zealand has been dealt a significant blow with the news that Mohammad Rizwan and Irfan Khan Niazi have been ruled out due to injuries. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news in a statement, stating that radiology reports had revealed the extent of their injuries.Rizwan, Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter, is believed to have suffered a hamstring injury while batting in the third T20I. He received extensive on-field attention before retiring hurt. The PCB has downplayed the severity of his injury, indicating that he is expected to be sidelined for no more than a week to ten days. However, the injury does not pose any immediate threat to his availability for future tours.Niazi, on the other hand, is also believed to have sustained a hamstring niggle, despite showing no signs of discomfort during the third T20I. The PCB has decided to withdraw him from the series as a precautionary measure.The absence of Rizwan and Niazi is a major setback for Pakistan, especially with the series on the line in Lahore. New Zealand bounced back from a heavy defeat in the second T20I with a dominant performance in Pindi, leveling the series. The final two games will be played in Lahore, where Pakistan will be looking to secure a series victory.In Rizwan's absence, Pakistan has several wicketkeeping options. Haseebullah, who made his international debut in a T20 against New Zealand earlier this year, has been called up as cover. Usman Khan, who kept wicket for the Multan Sultans in the PSL earlier this year, is another potential option.The injuries to Rizwan and Niazi come at an inopportune time for Pakistan, who are looking to build momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year. The team will be hoping that the duo can recover quickly and be available for selection in the near future.