Salman Ali Agha says Pakistan was not “up to the mark” after losing in first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday.
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ALI AGHA SAYS PAKISTAN NOT ‘UP TO THE MARK’ IN FIRST MATCH SINCE CT2005 HOSTING
Ali Agha says Pakistan was not “up to the mark” in the team’s first match since hosting Champions Trophy 2025 last month.
Furthermore, the first-time Pakistan team captain expressed disappointment after his team crumbled 91 all out and posted their fifth-lowest total in T20I (Twenty20 International) history.
Moreover, Ali Agha described New Zealand as “bowling in the right areas” that led to their impressive win at Hagley Oval.
“They bowled really well. They were bowling in the right areas and there was swing and seam for them as well,” the skipper said.
“But our batting wasn’t up to the mark. We have won day before the next game and we will try to gather ourselves and be better in the next game,” he added.
PCB DROPS AZAM, RIZWAN AS PAKISTAN BATTING FELL APART IN CHRISTCHURCH
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dropped seniors Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from its T20I squad and their absence were felt in Christchurch.
Moreover, Ali Agha saw the Black Caps get 44 from 29 balls from Tim Seifert and 29 from 17 from Finn Allen.
Furthermore, Tim Robinson was 18 not out as hr took two runs from the first ball of the 11th over.
“It was obviously difficult and we weren’t up to the mark,” Ali Agha said.
Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz were on the frontlines in lieu of Babar and Rizwan but both were dismissed without scoring in the first eight balls of the match.
JAMIESON WELCOMES ‘FAVORABLE CONDITIONS’ ON HOME SOIL AFTER NZ WIN
Jamieson, meanwhile, welcomes the “favorable conditions” they played on home soil that led to the Black Caps’ victory.
Furthermore, the 30-year-old bowling all-rounder took 3-8, and Jacob Duffy had 4-14 while they saw Pakistan drop to 14-4 at the end of the six-over powerplay.
Moreover, Jamieson gave credit to the brownish opuitch at Hagley Oval aside from their impressive play that led to the win.
“It was really nice to be back on home soil. We had some pretty favourable conditions which I’m sure me and (Duffy) would take most places around the country,” the all-rounder said.
“It was nice to have those and just try to cash in as much as we could,” he added.
