Tim Robinson, William O’Rourke shine in New Zealand’s thrilling win over Pakistan in 4th T20I

In a closely contested encounter at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand emerged victorious over Pakistan by a narrow margin of just 4 runs in the 4th T20I match of the series, showcasing the intensity and competitiveness that define cricket between these two formidable sides.

Tim Robinson Shines for the Black Caps

In the first innings, New Zealand opted to bat after winning the toss, looking to set a challenging target for Pakistan. The Kiwi openers got off to a strong start, with Tim Robinson leading the charge. Robinson’s composed innings of 51 runs off 36 balls provided the platform for New Zealand’s innings. His partnership with Tom Blundell, who contributed a quickfire 28 runs off 15 balls, propelled the Kiwis towards a competitive total.

As the innings progressed, Dean Foxcroft’s aggressive strokeplay added valuable runs to the scoreboard, with Foxcroft scoring 34 runs off 26 balls. Michael Bracewell’s cameo of 27 runs off 20 balls further bolstered New Zealand’s total, allowing them to reach a formidable score of 178/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Abbas Afridi’s Heroics with the Ball

Despite New Zealand’s strong batting performance, Pakistan’s bowlers put in a commendable effort to restrict the Kiwi batsmen. Abbas Afridi emerged as the standout performer for Pakistan, showcasing his bowling prowess with figures of 3 wickets for just 20 runs in his 3 overs. Afridi’s disciplined bowling played a crucial role in preventing New Zealand from posting an even more daunting total.

Pakistan’s Valiant Chase Falls Short

Chasing 179 for victory, Pakistan started their innings steadily, with opener Fakhar Zaman anchoring the chase with a brilliant knock of 61 runs off 45 balls. Zaman’s innings included 4 boundaries and 3 towering sixes, providing hope for Pakistan in their pursuit of the target.

Iftikhar Ahmed (23 runs off 20 balls) and Imad Wasim (22 runs off 11 balls) contributed crucial runs in the middle overs, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive. However, despite their efforts, Pakistan ultimately fell short of the target, finishing at 174/8 in their 20 overs.

William O’Rourke’s Match-Winning Spell

New Zealand’s bowlers, led by the outstanding William O’Rourke, delivered crucial spells to defend their total. O’Rourke, who was named Player of the Match, played a pivotal role with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs. His disciplined bowling under pressure helped New Zealand maintain control during Pakistan’s chase.

Ben Sears and Michael Bracewell provided crucial support to O’Rourke, picking up key wickets at important junctures of the match. Their collective effort stifled Pakistan’s batting lineup and ensured that New Zealand secured a thrilling victory in the 4th T20I.

 Another Thrilling Chapter in the Series

In the end, New Zealand’s collective effort with both bat and ball secured them a narrow yet significant victory, adding another thrilling chapter to the series between these two competitive sides. The closely contested encounter highlighted the skill and determination of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the series as it progresses. Cricket fans can look forward to more gripping action as Pakistan and New Zealand continue to battle it out in this closely fought T20I series.