NZ vs PAK: Thrilling T20 Clash In 2024

Cricket fans around the world watched an epic T20 match between NZ vs PAK. The game was played at Eden Park in Auckland. Both teams were good. It was a great game.

NZ vs PAK: Pre-Match

The build up was big. Fans were waiting for the match. Both teams had strong lineups. New Zealand was led by their experienced captain Kane Williamson. Pakistan was led by Babar Azam who is known for his aggressive style. Pundits were saying it would be a close game. The anticipation was building as the day of the match approached.

First Innings: New Zealand’s Batting

New Zealand won the toss and batted first. Their openers Martin Guptill and Devon Conway started well. They put on a good partnership. Guptill was in form and hitting boundaries with ease. He got to 50 quickly and set the platform for his team.

Conway supported him well. He played cautiously at first but then got into his groove. The Pakistani bowlers couldn’t break the partnership. Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s top bowler, finally got the breakthrough. He bowled a beautiful yorker to get Guptill out.

Williamson came in next. He looked good, guiding his team through the middle overs. Conway continued to score freely. The duo added more runs. Pakistan’s spinners tried to slow down the run rate. But Conway and Williamson kept the scoreboard moving.

Middle Overs: Pakistan Fights Back

In the middle overs Pakistan fought back. Haris Rauf bowled quick and accurate. He got Conway out for 68. Glenn Phillips joined Williamson. Rauf got him out cheaply. NZ were 150/3 after 15 overs.

NZ were under pressure. They needed to accelerate. Williamson took the charge. He played some innovative shots and pushed the score towards a par total. Pakistan’s fielders were sharp and saved some important runs and kept the batsmen under pressure.

Death Overs: NZ Finish Strong

In the last overs NZ went for a big finish. James Neesham joined Williamson. They added quick runs. Williamson got to his 50 with a six. Neesham was aggressive and hit two sixes and a four in the 19th over.

Pakistan bowlers tried hard. Afridi and Rauf bowled the last two overs. They picked up wickets but couldn’t stop the runs. NZ finished at 185/5. A tough total for Pakistan.

Second Innings: Pakistan’s Chase

Pakistan needed 186 to win. Their openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started cautiously. They faced a tight bowling attack. Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowled good lines and didn’t give away any freebies.

Rizwan was the first to go. Boult bowled a beautiful inswinger and got him lbw. Fakhar Zaman joined Babar. The duo tried to build a partnership. Babar looked good, playing some beautiful shots. Zaman couldn’t get into his groove.

Middle Overs: Close

In the middle overs it was close. Ish Sodhi, New Zealand’s spinner bowled well. He kept the runs in check. Zaman tried to break free but mistimed a shot. He was caught at the boundary, Pakistan 70/2.

Babar continued to anchor. He was joined by Shoaib Malik. Malik played smart cricket. He rotated the strike, let Babar play. The two added important runs, kept Pakistan in the hunt.

Death Overs: Thrilling Finish

The game reached its climax in the last overs. Pakistan needed 50 off 5. Babar was on 70 and playing well. Neesham and Boult bowled the last 5 overs for New Zealand. The pressure was immense.

Babar reached his hundred in the 18th over. The crowd went wild. But Boult struck back, got Malik. The game was on a knife edge. Pakistan needed 20 off 2.

In the 19th over Neesham bowled well. He gave only 8 runs, 12 off the last over. Babar faced Boult. The first ball was a dot. The tension was high. Babar hit a four on the second ball, 8 off 4.

Boult bowled a yorker, Babar dug out a single. Pakistan needed 7 off 3. Asif Ali, the new batsman, hit a four on the next ball. 3 off 2 now. Boult bowled a slower ball, Ali mistimed and got a single.

2 off 1 ball. Boult bowled a full ball, Babar swung hard and hit a four. Pakistan won, the fans erupted in joy. Babar remained unbeaten on 104.

NZ vs PAK: Post Match Quotes

A great game. Fans from both sides praised the players. Babar was Man of the Match for his hundred. Williamson praised his team’s effort but said Pakistan played better.

Cricket experts called it one of the best T20s. The close finish added to the drama. Both teams showed sportsmanship, congratulated each other.

Read more: Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants Stats

Next

The series between NZ and PAK will be more exciting. Both teams will look to build on this. Fans will get more cricket in the coming matches.

NZ vs PAK FAQs

Q1: Who scored the most in NZ vs PAK T20 on July 12, 2024?
A1: Babar Azam

Q2: Who won NZ vs PAK on July 12, 2024?
A2: Pakistan

Q3: Where was NZ vs PAK T20 on July 12, 2024?
A3: Eden Park, Auckland