Tim Robinson and Will O’Rourke led New Zealand to victory over Pakistan to take a 2-1 lead on Thursday in their Test series matchup.
Visit M88 Sports for more cricket news and updates.
ROBINSON, O’ROURKE LED NEW ZEALAND ATTACK OVER PAKISTAN
Robinson smashed 51 off 36 before Abbas Afridi removed him, yet he and Tom Blundell raced to 56 in the first five overs to help New Zealand’s cause.
OI’Rourke and Ben Sears led New Zealand’s bowling attack where their team beat Pakistan by four runs and enabled them to take a 2-1 lead in their series.
A cagey final over from Jimmy Neesham, who had to defend 17, ended with Pakistan needing six of the final ball.
O’Rourke and Sears stopped Pakistan’s charge early into the match.
Sears prised out Usman Khan and got Pakistan in trouble while New Zealand plugged away into the match.
O’Rourke and Sears kept the runs quiet and allowed Michael Bracewell to rely on them whenever pressure needed to be applied, ESPNcricinfo reported.
ABBAS AFRIDI KEPT PAKISTAN COMPETITIVE EARLY ON
Afridi, aside from removing Robinson, bowled some of the toughest overs and came away with both credit and wickets for Pakistan.
He returned and made an immediate breakthrough as Robinson miscued him into the sky.
Abbas saw two and conceded just five in a mix of cutters, hard lengths, and perfect yorkers for Pakistan.,
Pakistan’s Babar Azam may have wondered why he didn’t use Abbas for the full tour, as the latter tallied 3 for 20.
Shadab Khan flung himself into the air with smooth lethality after moving to his left in the 14th over.
The ball’s speed knocked Shadab’s right hand off, as he held on to it using his left to the crowd’s amazement.
BRACEWELL LAUDS NEW ZEALAND PROGRESS AFTER THE WIN
New Zealand captain Bracewell later lauded his team for the progress they’ve made throughout the series.
“The way we have learned from game to game is hugely important. Fortunately, we were able to come on the right side today,” Bracewell said.
“I think our last five overs as a bowling unit were particularly impressive,” he added.
There was no winner in the first match after it was washed out.
Pakistan won by seven wickets in the second.
New Zealand then responded by winning by seven wickets in the third.
Both teams try to salvage a win in the fifth and final game of the series on Sunday morning.
