New Zealand 4-0 Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan 90 in vain as Pakistan slip to 4th succesive defeat in T20I series

Pakistan continue to remain winless on the tour of New Zealand as they were handed a 7-wicket defeat in the 4th T20I of the ongoing series in Christchurch on Friday, January 19.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan’s efforts went in vain as New Zealand successfully chased down a modest total of 159 in just 18.1 overs and an on the verge of a series sweep.

Mohammad Rizwan hit an unbeaten 90 in a lone warrior’s effort while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 3 wickets in the powerplay. However, their efforts went in vain as New Zealand chased down 159 with ease, riding on unbeaten 70s from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips after the duo stitched 139-run partnership for the third wicket.

Since sacking captain Babar Azam, Pakistan have not won an international fixture as they suffered a 3-0 sweep in a Test series in Australia in December-January. Shan Masood’s first series as Test captain ended in disappointment despite their valiant show Down Under. However, under Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy, Pakistan have been toothless in the T20I series.

After conceding more than 200 in two of the first three T20Is, Pakistan failed to post a daunting total after getting the opportunity to bat in the 4th T20I at the Hagley Oval. New Zealand, who missed opener Devon Conway due to Covid-19, opted to bowl after winning the toss and it proved to be the right decision as the pacers made use of the swing and seam with the new ball.

Pakistan’s 158 was the lowest total of the series as their big guns, including Babar Azam, failed. Babar had hit 3 successive fifties in the series, but he was not able to convert his start into a big knock. On the other hand, Saim Ayub’s poor run continued as the young opener was out for 1 despite getting the backing from the team management.

Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan was dropped for the contest, but his replacement Farhan Sahibzada managed just 1 as the team management’s call was criticised heavily.