Ramiz Raja and Pakistan (Photo Source: Twitter)
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja came down hard on Babar Azam and Co. after the Men in Green lost the third T20I against New Zealand by seven wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, on Sunday, April 22.
Several premier players of New Zealand are plying their trade in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The Blackcaps have travelled to Pakistan with a depleted side but the win on Sunday should give them a lot of confidence, as they squared the series 1-1 with two more games to play. Ramiz, who took the final catch when Pakistan lifted the ODI World Cup in 1992, said that Sunday’s defeat against a weakened New Zealand side was an “embarrassing” result for the hosts. The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that New Zealand are not even playing a second-string side in the series and explained the implications of the defeat.
“Losing is a part of cricket, but such a defeat shakes the foundation a bit, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. Playing at home, on your favourite surface, against a team that isn’t even a complete side – not a first-tier or even a second-tier New Zealand team – makes it an embarrassing loss,” said Raja in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Let’s admit that in T20, anyone’s luck can change, but such a drastic turn of tables within 24 hours is a blow to Pakistan’s reputation. For some time now, there has been a notion that you can expect anything from Pakistan on a given day. Just 24 hours ago, Pakistan defeated them by 7 wickets, and 24 hours later, they themselves suffered a 7-wicket defeat. This should not happen,” Raza concluded.
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Mark Chapman’s captain knock led New Zealand to bounce back in T20I series
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first on Sunday. Pakistan had two good partnerships in their innings – 55 off 38 balls between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam for the first wicket and 62 off 34 balls between Shadab Khan and Irfan Khan for the fifth wicket. They lifted Pakistan to a total of 178/4 in their 20 overs.
In reply, New Zealand got off to a solid start as they scored 53/2 in the powerplay. Batting at No. 4, Mark Chapman played a scintillating knock of 87 not out off 42 balls to help the tourists reach home with 10 balls and seven wickets to spare. The southpaw hit nine fours and tonked four sixes during his sparkling innings.
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After the first three games were played in Rawalpindi, the action will now shift to Lahore for the last two games to round up the series. The fourth T20I is set to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, April 25.