Afridi and Amir set up one-sided Pakistan win over New Zealand

Two contrasting T20 innings were played on the two sides of the border on Thursday evening. One where the ball seemed to hit the sweet spot of the bat virtually each time. The other where the ball didn’t seem to find the middle of the bat at all.

In Delhi, in an IPL game between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, T20 batting records were smashed. In Rawalpindi, New Zealand folded for 90, which was 42 fewer than what Sunrisers hit in just sixes. The ball stopped or gripped or turned off the pitch in Rawalpindi, as Pakistan’s quick bowlers and spinners feasted on a bowler-friendly pitch. Shaheen Shah Afridi,  who had started the party for Pakistan, finished with 3 for 13. Two wickets each went to comeback man Mohammad Amir, first-timer Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan.

Mohammad Rizwan then led Pakistan’s chase with 45 not out in 34 balls, and brushed New Zealand aside with 47 balls and seven wickets to spare.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 92 for 3 in 12.1 overs  (Mohaamad Rizwan 45*; Ben Lister 1-10, Michael Bracewell 1-19,  Ish Sodhi 1-18) beat New Zealand 90 in 18.1 overs  (Mark Chapman 19, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-13, Mohammad Amir 2-13, Abrar Ahmed  2-15, Shadab Khan 2-15) by seven wickets

(Cricinfo)