Twitter Reactions: Allen, Milne lift New Zealand 2-0 up in Hamilton

New-Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

In the second T20I clash between Pakistan and New Zealand at Hamilton’s Seddon Park, Pakistan, eager for redemption after their previous loss, won the toss and elected to bowl. The hosts faced an early setback as Devon Conway fell within the powerplay, but Finn Allen’s aggressive batting set a strong foundation for New Zealand. Allen quickly reached a half-century, consistently finding the boundaries until he was dismissed by Usama Mir with a deceptive delivery.

Despite a cramp forcing Kane Williamson off the field, New Zealand’s batters, including useful cameos from others, propelled the team toward a formidable total of 194. Haris Rauf dazzled as the standout bowler, claiming three wickets in an impressive 19th over, while Shaheen Shah Afridi contained the damage in the final over by conceding only seven runs.

Facing a challenging target of 195, Pakistan stumbled to their second consecutive defeat, this time with only themselves to blame. Both openers were dismissed early, but Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman steadied the innings. Babar displayed tactical finesse, while Fakhar aggressively took on Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi during the powerplay. Despite Fakhar’s half-century, a dismissal of Ben Sears proved pivotal.

Pakistan’s middle order fumbles again

Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan’s failures left Pakistan struggling. Babar, despite reaching fifty, couldn’t carry the team further. In the end, Pakistan fell short by 21 runs. Adam Milne, outstanding with the new ball and lethal at the death, claimed four wickets for 33 runs for New Zealand. Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi contributed impressively, with Sodhi displaying energy in the field.

Pakistan controlled the chase for an extended period, but Fakhar Zaman’s wicket became the turning point. The match showcased both teams’ competitive spirit, with New Zealand ultimately emerging victorious. As Adam Milne starred with the ball, Pakistan’s missed opportunities and batting collapses proved costly, marking a tough defeat for the visitors.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to New Zealand’s win over Pakistan: