In the second match of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hammered his 3rd century in the format. Playing his 101st international game at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Babar smashed a blistering knock scoring 101 runs off 58 balls. After his amazing batting performance, Pakistani bowlers restricted the visitors to 154 runs and won the game by 38 runs.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. In the first game of the series, Babar failed to impress as he was dismissed by Adam Milne. Although, using the opportunity, Babar scored a magnificent century and helped his team to post a huge total. Babar Azam, in his innings, scored unbeaten 101 runs off 58 balls and added 99 runs for the first wicket. His opening partner Mohammed Rizwan scored 50 runs off 34 balls before getting dismissed by Henry.
At the end with a fiery knock from Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan finished 192/4 in 20 overs. Iftikhar, in his innings, scored 33 runs off 19 balls. For Kiwis, Henry shined with the bowl as he clinched two wickets. Apart from him, Jimmy Neesham and Rachin Ravindra also clinched a wicket each.
Haris Rauf thrashed the New Zealand batting lineup
Chasing 193 was not an easy task for visitors, though they started well. Opener Tom Latham and Chad Bowes added 44 runs for the first wicket. As soon as they were dismissed, New Zealand batters failed to play the pace attack. Apart from Mark Chapman’s half-century, no one looked comfortable against the Pakistani pacers.
Chapman, in his innings, scored unbeaten 65 runs off 44 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes. Meanwhile, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals and finally were restricted to 154/7 in 20 overs. Five out of nine Kiwi batters failed to score in double digits. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf clinched four wickets and led the Pakistani pace attack.
Here is how fans react to Babar Azam’s century:
0 cares tbh + 100 vs school NZ team doesn't count in my book
— Cricket_Enthusiast (@Hatedguy123) April 15, 2023
Cannot deny the fact he's a great player but take a look at this bowling attack. Neesham, ravindra, lister, shipley. Hes very lucky he gets to score runs against B teams of New Zealand Australia England
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) April 15, 2023
C team ke against statspadding karunga ft Babar
— Sagar Mhatre (@SagarMh10409745) April 15, 2023
Wonderful century for winning world cup amazing performance
— Rimi Roy (@HEYAKHANI) April 15, 2023
Bt virat century against afaghanistan counts a lot
— Syed Murtaza Haider (@mur62813315) April 15, 2023
We will believe it when he scores a century on the ground of New Zealand and Australia because the pitches there are fast. Lahore Pindi has trap pitches where even a clumsy batsman can score runs ??
— ??? ??? ????? (@abidkhanmasoo) April 15, 2023
He scored a hundred , i didn't even knew there was nz vs pak match today
— Dhruv (@Dhruv85615058) April 15, 2023
Such a shame that a country n the system that failed in almost everything tried failing this amazing player.
— Ravi (@rajinder_ravi) April 15, 2023
On a 90m boundary that too against mighty bowling attack of mcconchi, Shipley, lister, henry
— Knull (@King_In__Black) April 15, 2023
In last match Adam Milne bowled him and Rizwan that's why he didn't play today so that Babar can score runs fixed match
— rocky_the_unknown_boy (@iam_Rahemat) April 15, 2023
