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Pakistan edged out New Zealand by a narrow margin of 9 runs in a tense fifth and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, on Apꦇril 27th, 2024, to ꦏlevel the series 2-2.
Babar Azam shines with the bat
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178 runs on the board, with skipper Babar Azam leading the way with a well-composed 69 runs. The middle order chipped in with valuable contributions, especially from Fakhar Zaman, who scored 43.
Shaheen Afridi outclass New Zealand with brilliant bowling
In reply, New Zealand got off to a flying start with Tim Seifert scoring a brisk half-century (52). However, Pakistan’s bowling attack, featuring eight different bowlers in the match, clawed their way back into the contest. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of thওe bowlers, scalping four wickets for just 30 runs.
Despite a late fightback from Josh Clarkson (38 runs off 26 balls), New Zealand fell short of the target, eventually dismissed for 169 runs. Mohammad Amir held hᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚis nerve in the final over, dismissing Ben Sears for a run-out to seal a dramatic victory for Pakistan.
Afridi bags top honours
Afridi’s sensational bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while his consistent bowling throughout the series saw him bag the Player of the Series honour as well.
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Here is how Twitter reacted:
Honours even in Lahore 🏆
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
The Bank Alfalaᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚh Presents Jazz Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series 2024 trophy is shared 🇵🇰🏆🇳🇿 |
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB)
Thank you for such a lovely gesture today during the match!
You were amazing today. Keep going …— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
//twitter.com/IUsmanKhan13/sta🌱tu༒s/1784311036331327518
That's why he's the 🦅
— Abdul Haseeb babar 🇵🇸 (@haseebbabar87)
//twitter.com/MidWic🍌ket71/status/🍌1784260179480969220
Same same, but different.
Shoaib Akhtar 🤝 Shaheen Afridi— Sheraxii Tweets (@i_mAfridi7)
//twitter.com/SySd0/status/1784298455977873471
This should be “ Video of the Day ” |
— Reply Guy (@ReplySoul)
Shaheen Afridi said "I would have loved to take five wickets tonight, but even a single wicket in w🅷inning cause for Pakistan means a lot to me" 🇵🇰❤️❤️❤️
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)