New Zealand beat Pakistan to level Twenty20 series

E-Paper | April 28, 2026

DUBAI: New Zealand achieved a 17-run win in the second Twenty20 international in Dubai to level the two-match series at 1-1 on Friday.

Set a challenging 145 runs to win, Pakistan were bowled out for 127 in 18.5 overs.

Opener Ahmed Shezad top-scored with 33 while skipper Shahid Afridi made 28. Jimmy Neesham and Kyle Mills took three wickets apiece.

New Zealand were lifted to 144-8 in their 20 overs by skipper Kane Williamson (32), Luke Ronchi (31) and Tom Latham (26).

For Pakistan, paceman Umar Gul finished with 2-24 and Afridi took 2-33. Pakistan won the first match -- also played in Dubai - by seven wickets on Thursday.

The two teams now play the first of five one-day internationals in Dubai on Monday.

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NajamSaeed

Dec 06, 2014 12:28am

Fawad Alam would have been a much better choice than Harris Sohail and Saad Nasim but he does not have a patron in PCB. I am sure his stable and calm batting will be missed on one day matches also. Too bad that you have to have a Godfather, not talent, to make into the national team.

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Abrar-ul-Haque

Dec 06, 2014 12:36am

We badly lack consistency

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PindiChanna

Dec 06, 2014 01:51am

New Zealand are quick learner, they have quickly learned the art of playing in the desert and so far level in the series, ultimately probably over all win.

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Razi Khan

Dec 06, 2014 02:03am

This is a sincere request to the administration of the Pakistan Cricket team. Please remove Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal from the team. Their consistently poor form has let the country and team down on numerous occasions. We as fans want to see new faces like Haris Sohail, Saad Nasim, Ramiz Raja Jr and Co not these tried and failed parchi's. Thank you

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Lala Iqbal

Dec 06, 2014 02:05am

Yesterday, was a different team that came out to play. Today's game, was probably over confidence after a one-sided win yesterday. That's our team, always unpredictable.

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Mirza

Dec 06, 2014 02:08am

The whole team did not bat responsibly. They all wanted to play like big hitters not the match winners. Pakistan needs mentally strong and balanced leadership and players. We have no chance in World Cup if we play like this with these players. Pakistan needs more balanced "team" not individual sloggers.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 06, 2014 02:14am

What a tragedy? The green-shirts have again proved to be the most unreliable cricket team in the world.

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hyat

Dec 06, 2014 03:08am

now on nz will not give chance to win.

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Irshad ul Hassan

Dec 06, 2014 03:37am

Once again Hafeez & Umar Akmal did the same what they were doing in the past.i.e. not to score when needed.

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Naveed ,USA

Dec 06, 2014 03:39am

@NajamSaeed Fawad Alam is not a Brian Lara. Haris Sohail and Saad Nasim are also talented, they can hit harder than Fawad.They just had couple chances at international level.Just ck fawad record how many chances he had available himself before the last couple of performances.Fawad hasn't got power in his stroke.

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Naveed ,USA

Dec 06, 2014 03:48am

@PindiChanna Yes, and pakistani team lack in consistent performance as well as they are complacent.

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Lala Iqbal

Dec 06, 2014 03:55am

@PindiChanna - ODIs are coming and with Misbah & Younus both in the team at 3-4, NZ are favorites. When was the last time Shahid Afridi played a match winning knock, in 2013 West Indies? How many matches since then? Horrible umpiring in today's match - the Sarfaraz lbw was high school grade cricket umpiring.

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NAZ

Dec 06, 2014 04:42am

@Razi Khan and FAWAD ALAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Truth

Dec 06, 2014 04:55am

This is how far luck and fluke can take you before the visitors adapt.

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Salma

Dec 06, 2014 05:15am

What role does Anwer Ali play in the team. Good for only one over and while batting, even at no. 11, he wouldn't be the best no. 11 batsman in the world.

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dawn

Dec 06, 2014 05:59am

@Razi Khan - agreed with removal of Tanvir only.

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MAlvi

Dec 06, 2014 06:02am

You win some, you lose some. That's the it is. Don't be sad.

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Asgher Ali

Dec 06, 2014 07:23am

So many suggestions for so many removals and so many substitutions! Only one removal will suffice. Remove egotist Afridi, who wants to hog a personal glory hitting untimely fours and sixes and getting out at the expense of loss of glory for the nation!

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Dr. Asim Maqbool

Dec 06, 2014 08:19am

You love it or hate it - Shahid Afridi and Umer Akmal are not serious players.- they are just burden and should be shown the path. False hopes and useless when we need them.

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kalim

Dec 06, 2014 10:28am

win or loss is part of game. Try not to be defeated from India.

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Rehan

Dec 06, 2014 11:08am

A few more wake up calls like that are needed to jolt the PCB as they have not learned any lessons, I was amazed to find Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik name amongst the 30 probable players announced for WC .....

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Usher

Dec 06, 2014 11:49am

Pathetic umpiring by Shozaib Raza. This is not first time he made such a ridiculous decision against Pakistan.

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What the?

Dec 06, 2014 12:04pm

As always, It were the "Usual Suspects" that were responsible for the loss. Sohail,Akmal & Hafeez! Are you trying to tell me there are NO Cricket Players in Pakistan that can replace the "3"

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Irshad ul Hassan

Dec 06, 2014 01:53pm

@Naveed ,USA no need to check the records of Fawad. He scored a century in his 1st test and his average in one day above 40 from very beginning. He is also a top domestic and T20 player in all seasons. Cricinfo is the reference. He was only out of the team because of arguments with kamran akmal & imran farhat. While kamran is always a sweet heart of every captain, fawad had to be thrown out from the team. I am not against haris sohail/saad nasim at all. But fawad is must for shaky batting line up like Pakistan. Do you like to include sohail tanveer/Wahab riaz/hafeez as well. And why should we trust Umar Akmal????????

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Saleem

Dec 06, 2014 02:07pm

Why don't people who have concerns about Fawad Alam (which are very genuine) send petition to board. One bad series and he was taken away. Instead umar akmal, afridi, hafeez continue with one good in whole series. Showing concern on this website will do no good , so better lobby for it.

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pakfan

Dec 06, 2014 10:04pm

@Irshad ul Hassan We need batsmen who can improvise. Ahmad Shazad, Fawad Alam with Sarfraz bat with temperament to deliver at big stage consistently. Our bowling is decent and to get the target of 145 we don't need hard hitters. As simple as it is we have to play designated 20 or 50 overs with occasional boundaries. PCB and selectors review batting line up NOW...

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Ray

Dec 07, 2014 10:37am

Umar Akmal should be shown the door. 100 matches and the guy has no clue on how to build innings. Why doesn't he play at 3 or 4 if he's that good. Why does he hide behind the other players? If other fail and he delivers, which he almost never does, then he stays in the team. If others fails, and he fails, then blame it on others. Take responsibility you selfish brat! Disappointed with the umpire as well, you can't make school boy mistakes in such games. Fawad Alam may lack strength, but so did Chanderpaul and he served better than many powerful West Indian players. Stop looking for power hitters who can only hit one or two big ones and not score for longer durations.

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Ray

Dec 07, 2014 10:39am

For those criticizing Fawad Alam, please look at his record. Why do you want big hitters who can only hit one or two shots and then get out? We need guys who can bat full quota of overs. I hope Haris and Saad deliver, althoug I feel Saad doesn't have the proper technique to play against fast men. He backs away towards the leg side which is an inherent weakness. Sohail, maybe the temperament needs to be works on. Also, he is too much on sided, needs an open stance. Kick out Umar Akmal and all his clan.

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