Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood spoke about the team’s narrow defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I of the ongoing five-match series. Azhar Mahmood appreciated Pakistan’s positive performance and pointed out opportunities for improvement in the upcoming matches.
The Pakistan team suffered a four-run defeat against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, April 25. The Babar Azam-led team fell short of the target of 179 runs in the recent match. The visiting team took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-game series.
New Zealand posted a total of 178/7 in 20 overs. Opener Tim Robinson got the team off to a good start by scoring a half-century. Robinson scored 51 runs off 36 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. Tom Blundell, Dean Foxcroft and Michael Bracewell made crucial contributions.
Pakistan could only score 174/8. Babar Azam scored just five runs before being dismissed in the second over. Fakhar Zaman, batting at number four, scored 61 runs off 45 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. William O’Rourke picked up three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs.
These aspects highlight areas for improvement – Azhar Mahmood
After Pakistan’s defeat, Azhar Mahmood remarked that Pakistan hit more boundaries and bowled more dot balls. Mahmood mentioned that New Zealand scored two goals, which is an area of improvement for Pakistan.
“We managed to surpass New Zealand in the boundary standings, which is positive for us. Furthermore, our bowlers delivered more points. However, New Zealand made better use of the doubles. These aspects highlight areas with potential for improvement,” Mahmood said.
Don’t worry about losing this series – Azhar Mahmood
Azhar Mahmood stressed that he is not worried about losing the series. The former Pakistan all-rounder stressed his focus on providing opportunities to young talent ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“I’m not worried about losing this series. There is still an opportunity to balance it out. Our focus is not just on that. We keep an eye on the future. Integrate young talents and give them opportunities. “Everything is going as planned,” Mahmood concluded.
Pakistan faced a second-tier New Zealand team in the T20 series. They won the second game convincingly after being eliminated in the first. However, the home team suffered a defeat in the next game. With New Zealand leading 2-1, the Pakistan national cricket team cannot win the series.
The final T20I match between the two teams will be played at the same venue on Saturday, April 27. Following this series, Pakistan will tour Ireland and England for the T20 series in preparation for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the USA in June.
| series | Date | Venue | Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland vs Pakistan | 10th of May | Dublin | 7 p.m |
| 12th of May | Dublin | 7 p.m | |
| May 14th | Dublin | 7 p.m | |
| England vs Pakistan | May 22 | Leeds | 10:30 p.m |
| 25. May | Birmingham | 6:30 in the evening | |
| 28th of May | Cardiff | 10:30 p.m | |
| 30th May | The Oval, London | 10:30 p.m |
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