New Zealand are currently hosting Pakistan and Bangladesh for a T20I tri-series and Men in Green got off to a flier in the first match of the series against Bangla Tigers on October 7, Friday. Pakistan also won the second match of the series against New Zealand by 6 wickets on Saturday.
Pakistan were chasing down a target of 148 and an interesting moment took place during the twelfth over of the match. In the fourth ball of the over bowled by Tim Southee, Shadab Khan played a scoop shot over the fine leg. However, Devon Conway, the Kiwi wicketkeeper, did not give up and chased the ball by giving it all.
Much to the stupefaction of the spectators and Pakistan batters, Conway ended up saving the ball from touching the ropes with his foot. “Is it gonna run away for four? Oh great footwork! Devon Conway has sprinted 50 metres. Gotta slide out to maybe save just a run or two,” said the commentators who were blown away by the save.
Here is the video:
One of the crazy things ever done by a wicket-keeper in the field. pic.twitter.com/CU1kYw57AP
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 8, 2022
We are playing very well: Babar Azam
Regarding the match, New Zealand batted first and put on a total of 147 runs on the board. Mark Chapman, the aggressive batter, provided the Black Caps, with the much-needed finish with his 16-ball 32 runs. Haris Rauf, the young Pakistani sensation, ended up bagging a three-wicket haul to his name.
Men in Green chased down the total with six wickets to spare and it was the skipper, Babar, who stood tall with his unbeaten 79. Knuckling down on his decent form, Babar looked steady when his teammates kept falling for cheap scores barring Shadab Khan who scored a decent 34.
In the post-match interview, the Pakistan skipper said that he was happy with the win. Further, the 27-year–old lauded the team’s performance and said that the team assessed the conditions well.
“We have started well in the batting, me and Rizwan planned to utilise the first six overs and also the dew. We have a plan to send him up to charge the bowlers, he played well [on Shadab at 4]. Me and Shadab planned that I play all the way and he will go for his shots,” Babar said in the post-match interview.
“Little bit different because of the dew and the ball is coming on nicely [on the pitch]. We are playing very well and as a captain I’m very happy. We assessed the conditions and executed our plans, our bowlers bowled very well. We have some rest now and we will look forward to that,” said the Pakistan skipper further.
