Southee Hits Milestone As New Zealand Beat Pakistan In First T20
Muhammad Rameez Published January 12, 2024 | 05:41 PM
Tim Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in Twenty20 internationals, leading New Zealand's "nasty fasties" to a 46-run win over Pakistan in their series opener in Auckland
Auckland, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2024) Tim Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in Twenty20 internationals, leading New Zealand's "nasty fasties" to a 46-run win over Pakistan in their series opener in Auckland.
Veteran seam bowler Southee claimed four wickets to pass the milestone and help dismiss the tourists for 180 in the 18th over in response to New Zealand's imposing 226-8, handing them first blood in the five-match series.
Southee's figures of 4-25 were the best of a run-dominated encounter at Eden Park and took him to 151 wickets in T20 internationals, 11 more than Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan.
He finished the job as Pakistan's run chase capitulated after Babar Azam fell in the 17th over, with the former captain having accelerated to 57 off 35 balls to keep his side in contention.
There were starts for openers Saim Ayub (27) and Mohammad Rizwan (25) but Azam struggled to find support from his teammates before being caught at cover by captain Kane Williamson off Ben Sears' bowling.
Williamson said Southee's value across a 16-year career couldn't be understated.
"Tim has been around for a long time and this is a credit to his consistent performances over a long period," he said.
"But he also adds so much as a leader in our environment - a calm head and it's pretty good to have him out there with some young nasty fasties."
New Zealand's boundary-laden innings was the highest Pakistan had conceded in a T20, surpassing the 221-3 England scored in Karachi in 2022.
Daryl Mitchell blasted 61 off 27 balls and Williamson was dropped twice as he scored 57 off 42.
New Zealand built on an explosive start from opener Finn Allen (34), who struck 24 runs off the third over, bowled by Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan's new-look attack struggled to protect the ground's notoriously short boundaries, conceding 21 fours and 11 sixes.
Seamer Abbas Afridi impressed in his first international appearance in any format with 3-34 off four overs, although fellow-debutant Usama Mir had his leg spin attacked by Mitchell in particular and finished with 0-51.
Shaheen, who took 3-46, led Pakistan for the first time after Babar forfeited the captaincy in the wake of their failure to make last year's 50-over cricket World Cup semi-finals.
Shaheen said improvements will be necessary ahead of the second match in Hamilton on Sunday.
"We only have a short time. As a bowling unit, we have to improve and use our variations at the right times," he said.
"Kane Williamson and Mitchell played very well but there were mis-fields in the middle overs. We have to grab those catches and as a fielding unit we need to do better."
New Zealand spin-bowling allrounder Mitchell Santner wasn't selected after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From Sports
-
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
7 hours ago -
HEC, Army move National Challenge Cup semis
9 hours ago -
Jonathan Milan wins Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
9 hours ago -
WAPDA taste first final defeat in tennis in 42 years after falling to PAF
9 hours ago -
Bangladesh seal T20 series with nine-run win over Zimbabwe
10 hours ago -
Babar Azam eyes multiple records during Ireland, England tours
12 hours ago
-
Flat-out: Hirscher boosts skiing in mountainless Netherlands
11 hours ago -
Pakistan, Japan match ends in a draw
11 hours ago -
Cricket: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe second T20 scores
11 hours ago -
Olympic flame to arrive in France ahead of Paris Olympics
11 hours ago -
Is time up for Ten Hag after Man Utd implosion?
14 hours ago -
Match officials named for FIFA Qualifier
14 hours ago