Published: Jan 12, 2024, 08:15 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 12, 2024, 08:15 PM (IST)
Pakistan arrived in New Zealand intending to make amends in the five-match Twenty20 International series, putting the nightmare display in Australia behind them. The fielders, notably former captain Babar Azam, did not contribute much to the fielding effort as Shaheen Afridi and his squad attempted to apply pressure with the ball, giving up opportunity after opportunity. Initially, it was Babar who failed to make a simple catch involving Kane Williamson of New Zealand, and then it was Iftikhar Ahmed who provided a lifeline to the dangerous Daryl Mitchell.
Not only did Pakistani fielders struggle to make their best efforts on the field to prevent needless runs from being taken, but they also had trouble making catches that were dropped. As a result, the Pakistani squad was severely trolled on social media for their fielding attempts.
The Kiwi captain went on to hit a half-century before being removed as a result of Williamson’s lost catch. Mitchell even scored 50 runs with the bat, torturing the Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan’s fortunes were supposed to improve once Shaheen Afridi took over as the team’s T20I captain in place of Babar Azam, but not much has gone well for them, particularly on the pitch.
Aamer Jamal, Pakistan’s hero during the Test tour of Australia, gave up an 56 runs in 4 overs with the ball against the potent New Zealand batting lineup. Usama Mir and Shaheen Shah Afridi were among the players that scored a lot of runs, although Abbas Afridi was the most effective at collecting wickets.
