Twitter Reactions: Will O’Rourke’s bowling masterclass allows New Zealand to beat Pakistan by four runs in fourth T20I

New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, outplayed Pakistan by four runs in the fourth T20I of the ongoing five-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, April 25. With this win, the tourists secured a 2-1 lead in the series.

Speaking of the game, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and invited the Kiwis to bat first. Tim Robinson and Tom Blundell provided a flying start for New Zealand, forging a 56-run partnership before Zaman Khan dismissed the wicketkeeper-batter for 28 runs. Meanwhile, Robinson stood firm and notched up a crucial half-century. However, in the 11th over, Abbas Afridi provided a breakthrough for the hosts, delivering a low full toss in the middle to dismiss the dangerous Robinson who amassed 51 off 36 deliveries, including four boundaries and two maximums.

Dean Foxcroft emerged as the standout batter in the later stages of the innings, contributing 34 runs as the Black Caps reached a reasonable total of 178 runs within the allotted 20 overs. Afridi shone as Pakistan’s top bowler, finishing with excellent figures of 3/20 in his three-over spell.

Also read: Pakistan’s probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

In pursuit of the 179-run target, Pakistan suffered an early setback when Babar was cheaply dismissed for five runs by Will O’Rourke in just the second over. The right-arm fast-medium bowler struck again in the fifth over, removing opener Saim Ayub for just 20 runs. Bean Sears joined forces with Will and sent wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan back to the pavilion in the subsequent over.

Despite facing these challenges, Fakhar Zaman showed resilience and attempted to steady Pakistan’s innings. He succeeded in his intention but fell to Sears in the 18th over, with Pakistan’s score at 146/6. He has contributed 61 runs off 45 balls, featuring four boundaries and three maximums. New Zealand managed to take one wicket in the penultimate over, reducing Pakistan to 161/7.

Also read: New Zealand’s probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Requiring 18 runs off the final over, Usma Mir provided a sigh of hope for Pakistan, hitting a boundary off James Neesham’s first delivery. The right-arm medium-fast bowler swiftly shifted the momentum which saw his yorker rattling the Pakistan batter’s stumps. However, Pakistan managed three runs from the next two deliveries, followed by a wide and a boundary. Interestingly, Pakistan found themselves requiring six off the final delivery, but the Kiwis ultimately emerged victorious as Neesham conceded just one run. Notably, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears were the pick of bowlers for New Zealand, who finished with figures of 3/27 and 2/27, respectively.