Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistan clinch final match to draw series

Azam and Afridi shine in last T20 against New Zealand

Pakistan clinch final match to draw series

SKIPPER Babar Azam hit a solid half century while spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed four wickets as Pakistan overcame New Zealand by nine runs in the fifth and final Twenty20I in Lahore last Saturday (27) .

Azam’s 44-ball 69 and Fakhar Zaman’s 33-ball 43 took Pakistan to 178-5 in their 20 overs before Shaheen claimed 4-30 to restrict New Zealand to 169 in 19.2 overs, squaring the series at 2-2. 


 But Pakistan’s win only came in the final over with 12 needed as Josh Clarkson 38 not out threatened to pull off a heist, but two run outs in Mohammad Amir’s over sealed the home win, much to the delight of a full house at Gaddafi Stadium.  

The first match of the series was abandoned, while Pakistan clinched the second and New Zealand the third by identical seven-wicket margins – all in Rawalpindi.  

New Zealand took the fourth match, also in Lahore, by four runs.  

The series gave both the teams a kickstart to their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June. While Pakistan would be disappointed not to have won a series against a depleted New Zealand side missing a host of players due to Indian Premier League, unavailability and injuries, the visitors got a boost from their bench strength.  

Shaheen gave Pakistan an ideal start by dismissing Tom Blundell for four in his first over – his 15th wicket in his opening over of a Twenty20 international – and 50th in all T20 matches.  

Tim Seifert put New Zealand back on track with an aggressive 33-ball 52 – his ninth T20I half century containing seven boundaries and two sixes. 

 He added 76 for the second wicket with skipper Micheal Bracewell (23) but from 81-1 New Zealand lost four wickets in the space of 25 balls for the addition of just 22 runs. 

 Leg-spinner Usama Mir (2-21) had Seifert and Mark Chapman (12) while fellow spinner Shadab Khan accounted for Bracewell as New Zealand’s chase was derailed.  

Shaheen returned for a second spell to dismiss James Neesham (16), Zak Foulkes (nought) and Ish Sodhi (three) in successive overs. 

 Azam said he used different combinations to test the squad strength ahead of the World Cup.  

“Look, throughout the series we tried different combinations and we wanted to see where our bench strength stands,” said Azam. 

 “There are many good signs but we won’t be complacent and will focus on improvement which is crucial in international cricket.” 

 Bracewell was delighted that his team came out all-square. 

 “Pretty fair reflection of the series, pretty happy with coming over here and learning how to play in these conditions,” said Bracewell who captained New Zealand for the first time. “Credit to Pakistan, they played really well today.”  

Earlier, Azam saw his opening partner Saim Ayub fall in the second over for just one, but that did not deter him as he added 73 for the second wicket with Usman Khan who made a brisk 24-ball 31. Azam hit six boundaries and two sixes in his 34th T20I half-century before he was bowled by pacer Ben Sears in the 15th over. 

 Meanwhie, Zaman hit four boundaries and a six before he was smartly caught by Chapman on the boundary off Foulkes as Pakistan managed 55 in the last five overs. 

 Shadab Khan hit a six and a four in his five-ball 15 not out.  

New Zealand made three changes as they brought back Seifert, Cole McConchie and Foulkes while pace spearhead Shaheen returned for the home team. 

More For You

IND-ITL

India defeated Italy 64-22 in Group B.

England, India start strong in Kabaddi World Cup 2025

THE KABADDI World Cup 2025 began with dominant wins for defending champions India and hosts England. India defeated Italy 64-22 in Group B, while England secured a 101-25 victory over Hungary in Group A on the opening day in Wolverhampton.

The tournament kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring live dhol performances by students aged 9–19 from Wolverhampton Music Service, a dynamic professional Bollywood dance troupe, and a grand athlete procession led by youth representatives from Wolverhampton Wrestling Club.

Keep ReadingShow less
england-kabaddi-wc

Athira Sunil (England women's capt), councillor Bhupinder Gakhal,, Hardeep Singh (England men's capt) at official England kit launch.

Comment: ‘Kabaddi kabaddi kabaddi’ is go go go in the West Midlands

Bhupinder Gakhal

City of Wolverhampton cabinet member for resident services, councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, looks ahead to a historic Kabaddi World Cup, which takes place in Wolverhampton and across the West Midlands, starting on Monday (17).

The city of Wolverhampton has many claims to fame – it’s home to the world’s oldest original digital computer, it was instrumental in forming the tournament now known as football’s Champions League, and it was the first place in the UK to pioneer automated traffic signals.

Keep ReadingShow less
Harry Brook banned from IPL for two years

Harry Brook (Photo: Getty Images)

Harry Brook banned from IPL for two years

ENGLAND batsman Harry Brook has been banned from the Indian Premier League for two years after he pulled out at the last minute to focus on international cricket, local media reported.

The 26-year-old, considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain, was signed to Delhi Capitals for the IPL season beginning next week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chhetri returns to lead India’s Asian Cup charge

Sunil Chhetri

Chhetri returns to lead India’s Asian Cup charge

Eastern Eye

INDIAN football legend Sunil Chhetri will return to the national team aged 40 in an unexpected reversal of his decision to hang up his boots last year.

The former captain, the fourth-highest men’s international goalscorer of all time, played his last match for India in June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier.

Keep ReadingShow less
Syed Abid Ali

Abid Ali made his Test debut in December 1967 against Australia in Adelaide, taking 6/55 in the first innings—his best bowling figures in Test cricket. (Photo: BCCI)

Former India allrounder Syed Abid Ali passes away at 83

FORMER India allrounder Syed Abid Ali died on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 83.

Abid Ali, who was known for his all-round abilities and sharp fielding, passed away in the United States. He was part of a distinguished group of Hyderabad cricketers that included MAK Pataudi, ML Jaisimha, and Abbas Ali Baig.

Keep ReadingShow less