Shahid Afridi has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance in the third match against New Zealand
Former Pakistan Cricket Team captain and player, Shahid Afridi has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance in the third match against New Zealand in the five-match T20i series through his X handle.
Pakistan lost the third match on 21st April held in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Afridi criticized the efforts of the batting lineup in the third T20i saying that the team had an excellent batting surface but they only posted a total of 178 runs. He also praised where it was due. He complimented Shadab Khan for his amazing hitting.
“On an excellent batting surface, we didn’t make enough runs. The score should have been around 220. Well played Shadab, the rest of the batters should aim for better strike rates in these conditions and pitches. Good luck with the remaining games. Great inns by Chapman, a great lesson on how to finish a match,” Shahid Afridi posted on X.
The Men In Green batted first and posted a total of 178 runs, losing four wickets in the process during the first innings. Shadab emerged as the highest scorer with 41 runs off 20 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub added 37 and 32 runs respectively, while Irfan Niazi remained unbeaten with 30 runs off 20 balls.
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Pakistan batted first and set up a target of 178 runs only while also losing four wickets. Shadab, who was praised by Afridi, scored a fast 41-run innings in just 20 balls with four boundaries and two sixes and became the top scorer for the team.
Babar Azam and Saim Ayub scored 37 and 32 runs respectively while Irfan Niazi added an unbeaten 30 runs off 20 balls.
New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi grabbed two wickets. Jacob Duffy and Michael Bracewell got one each.
The target was easy to achieve for New Zealand as Mark Chapman came in and smashed an innings if 87 from 47 balls. This innings paved the way for New Zealand to win and tie the series.
Shahid Afridi also praised Chapman and his hard-hitting that paved the way for New Zealand’s win.
The five-match T20 series stands at a 1-1 tie. The first match was washed out due to rain, the second was won by Pakistan, and the third by New Zealand.
