Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha speaks throughout a press convention on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 4, 2025. — PCB
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged that New Zealand’s bowlers capitalised on beneficial situations underneath lights, resulting in a crushing defeat in opposition to New Zealand within the fourth T20I at Bay Oval on Sunday.
With this loss, Pakistan conceded the five-match T20I sequence 3-1 after being bowled out for 115 whereas chasing a formidable 221-run goal.
“They [New Zealand] bowled really well and they outplayed us,” the skipper stated whereas addressing a post-match press convention.
“I mean, the ball talked. It was swinging and it was turning as well. But we are international cricketers, so we have to adapt that and we have to be better,” he added.
With the sequence already misplaced, Agha emphasised the necessity for his group to regroup and put in a powerful efficiency within the ultimate match. “We need to regroup and we need to win the last game.”
Pakistan will now look to salvage satisfaction within the fifth and ultimate T20I, hoping to finish the sequence on a optimistic notice.
Inexperienced Shirts suffered an early collapse as opener Mohammad Haris was dismissed for simply two runs within the first over by Will O’Rourke.
The scenario worsened within the subsequent over when Jacob Duffy struck twice, eradicating Hasan Nawaz and captain Salman Ali Agha for single-digit scores, leaving Pakistan struggling at 9-3.
The downfall continued with Shadab Khan departing for only one run, dismissed by Zakary Foulkes, lowering Pakistan to 26-4 in 4.1 overs.
Irfan Khan Niazi confirmed some resistance with a fast 24 off 16 balls, however Duffy’s brilliance noticed him dismissed at 42-5.
Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi failed to offer stability, whereas Shaheen Afridi’s departure at 56-8 signaled Pakistan’s impending defeat. Duffy claimed his fourth wicket, dismissing Haris Rauf at 80-9 in 13.5 overs.
Abdul Samad fought laborious however fell wanting his fifty as Pakistan’s innings resulted in disappointment.
New Zealand’s openers acquired off to a flying begin, racing to 59 in simply 4.1 overs. Shaheen Afridi struggled with the brand new ball, however Haris Rauf supplied a breakthrough by dismissing Tim Seifert for 44.
Finn Allen’s explosive fifty off simply 19 balls maintained the momentum earlier than he was eliminated by Abbas Afridi for 50.
Regardless of a minor middle-order stumble, a counter-attacking 68-run stand between Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner powered New Zealand previous the 200-run mark.
Haris Rauf completed with three wickets, whereas Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi contributed with essential breakthroughs. Nonetheless, New Zealand posted a frightening whole, leaving Pakistan with a troublesome chase that in the end resulted in a complete defeat.
