Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I at Rawalpindi, Apr 20 2024 - Match Result

So, in the end, it proved to be a walk in the park for Pakistan and they weren't really tested in this game. Michael Bracewell said, New Zealand pride themselves on fighting until the last ball. After spending some time out there and assessing the conditions, we can expect them to compete better tomorrow. Pakistan will continue to try different combinations and experiments to prepare for the T20 World Cup in June. That's it from us for tonight. We'll be back tomorrow for the third T20I at Rawalpindi. It's time for me, Rvel Zahid, to say goodbye on behalf of Thilak Rama

Babar Azam, Pakistan Captain: In Pindi, it's crucial to set the tone in first six overs. The way Naseem, Shaheen and Amir bowled was outstanding. We will experiment and try different combinations in batting and bowling; will try players at different spots and we'll finalize the team come the time of Ireland and England series. On paper everybody looks a match winner in Pakistan team. Youngsters always bring energy but you need experience as well. We try to play according to the conditions and execute our plans accordingly. We have 10 matches, will try to tick all departments of the game. We make some mistakes in every game but we try to sit and discuss that. We want to do well in all departments and work on it on a daily basis.

Michael Bracewell, New Zealand Captain: We didn't score quite enough runs. We were little bit slow to adapt to the surface and put ourselves under pressure in the end. You want guys to learn from situation. We got a game tomorrow and we need to learn quickly. We pride ourselves in fighting right till the end; we did that with the ball and in the field

Shaheen Afridi, Player of the Match: I was bowling after 36 days. It's not easy to get back into rhythm straightaway but I had belief in myself and stuck to my guns. It stops swinging after one over in T20 cricket so I bowled according to the wicket and what conditions demanded from me. (On healthy competition in the side) Pakistan cricket is getting better (after the additions of players) and it's a good omen for us before the World Cup.

Pakistan did this at a canter. 91 was never going to be enough on this batting-friendly wicket. Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings and some new faces got valuable time in the middle and got their first taste of international cricket. Irfan Khan Niazi looked unfazed at the international level and continued his PSL form. The game was set up by Pakistan's bowlers, who were too good for the severely depleted New Zealand side. They couldn't exert any pressure and lost wickets at regular intervals mustering a subpar total. Mohammad Amir assessed the conditions quickly and used his slow balls perfectly, while Shaheen Afridi got the angle from round the wicket working well for him and speared in some superb yorkers. Abrar Ahmed found his radar right away and got decent grip off the surface while Shadab had a fun outing too

Masroor: "On the other side of subcontinent, leather is getting smashed to every part of the ground. IPL"

Rauhan: "@Goat'ed Just for once check Head's T20I stats, only one big innings. Babar and Rizwan on their own won so many games for Pakistan and how can one criticize 13 ball 14 when only 90 runs were needed to win. Unbelievable. "

Sajeel Liaqat: "After everything , people still bash Babar Azam. His recent PSL strike rate with the runs he has scored puts him in a league of his own. Best Pakistan produced ever."

lkr : "Three from Multan Sultan, Two from each Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators and one each of Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandar. Balanced Pakistan team"

Goat'ed: "Why does babar always play slow? i don't understand why? there are other players in the world like travis head, butler, quinton de kock who play very fast and get their teams to score 200 runs each game. Babar's slow tactic always causes his team to be below par. Babar isn't a t20 player. either he should be in team or rizwan. both of them together make the team batting useless. Fakhar should be playing to provide the brute force they need."