New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 78 runs in the first match of the triangular series played in Lahore. This defeat was so big that former PCB chairman Rameez Raja felt that New Zealand was the home team, not Pakistan.
The match started well for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi’s fast bowling brought New Zealand to 39/2 in 7.4 overs. But after this the match changed completely.
Daryl Mitchell batted brilliantly and scored 81 runs in 84 balls. His innings put New Zealand in a strong position. But the real storm came in the form of Glenn Phillips.
Phillips scored an unbeaten 106, including 77 runs in the last 32 balls. He hit a lot of sixes off Shaheen and Naseem’s balls. Seeing his batting in the last overs, it did not seem that Pakistan’s top bowlers were standing in front.
Rameez Raja gave a detailed critique of the team on his YouTube channel
“Watching today’s match, it seemed as if New Zealand was the home team and Pakistan was the away team. New Zealand players looked more fit. They adapted themselves well to the conditions and their role was clear. They did everything right.”
Regarding the Champions Trophy, he said: “Can this Pakistani team take 10 wickets on such batting pitches in the Champions Trophy? Pakistan’s bowling attack cannot bowl with variety in one place. The team looked frozen in time, scared and trembling during the game. Our bowlers could not even bowl the slow ball properly.”
Match statistics show that New Zealand scored 330/6 in 50 overs. Shaheen took 3 wickets for 88 runs in 10 overs, while Naseem did not get a single wicket for 70 runs in 10 overs.
Cricket experts say that Pakistan will have to change its strategy. The team will have to bowl better in the death overs and also improve fielding.
Fans have given mixed reactions on social media. Some say that the team will make a comeback, while some are demanding improvement in bowling.
