Pakistan’s miserable start to the New Zealand tour continued after losing the warm up and first T-20 match. Pakistan ended up losing the 2nd T-20 international by 39 runs at Hamilton in another one sided affair. Pakistan batsmen just do not seem
to have become accustomed to the bouncy tracks of New Zealand, while the bowling attack has also not been able to find the right line and length in the first 2 matches.
Batting first, New Zealand piled up a massive score of 185 in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Pakistan bowling attack was subjected to some serious punishment. In reply, Pakistan, once again, just could not get any partnerships going and
the visitors fell short in the end by 39 runs and lost the 3 match series 2-0.
After losing the first match http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 captain decided to put the opposition in after winning the toss. The start may have been encouraging for Pakistan when Jessy Ryder was sent back on the very first ball of the innings by Abdur Razzaq. However that was
all the joy they got in the early stages. Martin Guptill and the pinch hitter at number 3, James Franklin, started to hit the Pakistan attack all around the park. Shoaib AKhtar and Umar Gul in particular continued to deliver length balls which were easily
dispatched by the Kiwi duo. Guptil was especially good on the pull and hook shots and continued to make use of any loose balls. Franklin slashed hard with luck was on his side and the pair managed to put on 91 runs for the 2nd wicket. The partnership
was broken when Guptill was caught in the deep by Shahid Afridi off the bowling off Saeed Ajmal for 44 runs. Franklin also followed soon; he was caught behind on the bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 after scoring 40 runs.
Things, though, did not get much better for Pakistan as Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 and Scott Styris put on another solid stand in the middle of the innings. The pair added 39 quick runs before Styris was caught off the bowling of Shoaib Akhtar for 34 runs. Next man in
was the wicketkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 finally ended their innings at 185 for the loss of 7 wickets.
Pakistan were bound to face difficulties in chasing down such a big target. Captain Shahid Afridi continued his traditional play; he hit an excellent six on the covers and then was knocked over on the very next ball. Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmad Shehzad looked
to have formed a good partnership for the 2nd wicket. Hafeez particularly was looking in good touch. But as usual Pakistan batting line up self destructed. Shehzad skied one and was caught in the deep, and the next man in, Umar Akmal, got Muhammad
Hafeez run out on the very next ball. Hafeez made 46 runs with 5 fours and 2 sixes. It was pretty much all downhill for Pakistan from then on. Younis Khan, the former captain came and left without making an impression. Umar Akmal did hold one end up but was
not able to impose himself and ended with just 26 runs from 32 balls when he was dismissed in the final over.
In the end Pakistan were 146 for the loss of 9 wickets, falling short of 39 runs and handing New Zealand the 3 match series 2-0.
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