New Zealand vs Pakistan, Final at Christchurch, T20I Tri-Series, Oct 14 2022 - Match Result

Thanks for tuning in. Check out Deiva's report, lots coming ahead with the T20 World Cup starting soon. Let's hope the cricket there will be as entertaining as this. For now, it's goodbye from me, Ekanth, my co-commentator, Ankur Dhawan, and out scorer, Chandan Duorah.

Pakistan lost just one of their five games in the series which is a positive. But showing adaptability to win from a situation where they'd lost Babar and Rizwan in a chase and the asking rate was peaking would make them all the happier. New Zealand have a few gaps to plug but Bracewell's growth, in display today too, and Williamson getting a fifty will help grow the promise.

Ibti: "Pak hit only one six in their 54 overs (last 2 games this) and 6 sixes in last 6 overs"

Gaurav Sundararaman says the win predictor went from 33% from the start of the Sodhi over to 88% at the end.

Munib: "Hoping this game will be remembered for the arrival of Haider Ali! "

usman: "After all that criticism and failure haider Ali has done some justice to his talent that too in a big game. Hopefully this innings will prove to be the one which open door for many other in world cup. May be Pak team again peaking at right time "

Ashraf: "Finaly a game is one by middle order for Pakistan. Hope its one of many to come. "

Rizwan and Co swarm around the skipper and Babar gets the trophy. A second later, the team-mates take it away.

Babar Azam: The way our team played deserves all the credit. The bowlers were brilliant at the death. The way the middle order played was outstanding. Haider and Nawaz are outstanding, so we need to step up and perform. (On the wicket slowing down) It didn't make me change my thoughts about the toss. The wicket played the same too. Going to Australia, we have good confidence.

Kane Williamson: Great game, Pakistan are a strong side, credit to them for turning it around. Frustrated with the loss. You always want 20 more, but it was competitive. The wicket was on the lower side. They came in and changed the momentum well. There's no blame, everyone went with the plan. Execution went wrong, and the margins were small. With batters coming in and all improving the signs are positive ahead of the World Cup.

Michael Bracewell, POTS: Honour to have won the award, disappointed with the loss. I have practised to bowl in the powerplay, am getting used to it. Tough to bowl to Rizwan and Babar but enjoyed the challenge. The role as an offspinner is new and I'm getting used to it. But yeah, the last two overs in both innings ended up causing the loss. I am fortunate with the opportunities and am trying to soak up information from the others, I feel I have more skills now which I'm happy with.

Mohammad Nawaz, POTM: I just backed myself in both days. Tried to display what I'd practised in the nets with a clear mind. Batting in the middle order has helped a lot, backing myself and going with the plan was key. (On the 15th over vs Sodhi) Haider helped with a couple of boundaries in the previous over. We used the wind and got the boundaries against him. The weather has been very cold, was tough to adapt from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We are looking forward to the World Cup now.

This chase did not follow Pakistan's template of starting steadily, consolidating in the middle overs, and ending on a high. Babar and Rizwan were not in, Bracewell had burgled four economical overs, going for just 14, while picking up two wickets. But the middle order fired, they rocketed. They took on Sodhi, got Tickner and Southee away. Circumnavigated Boult's threat with smart knocking around and deservedly, get the win.

6:20pm: Like in the first innings, Pakistan took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second ten-over period. Haider Ali turned the game around on its head after the Rizwan, whose stability Pakistan often rely on, was dismissed. Nawaz assisted him and continued after Haider left, Iftikhar was steady and took off gradually. He played second fiddle and eventually, cleared the game.

So far, so very good for Pakistan.

Tickner to try and defend four for the hosts. Pakistan should do this easily.

"Hello openers! Look. Play like middle order", instructs Naeem Chishti

Pakistan one hit away from a win.

Back over

A long chat between Southee and Williamson. He goes around now

Aftab: "The middle order has spoken."

Brilliant seeing-through from Pakistan. They pinched couples and got a boundary against the strike bowler

Stat from Sampath: Michael Bracewell vs Pakistan in this T20I Tri-series: 31 runs, 54 balls, 4 wickets, 0 boundaries conceded, 3.44 economy

Shahid: "Nawaz has played a blinder again. Since he has been put up the order, he is turning into a genuine all rounder "

Boult to finish his spell

FahadMQ : "Matter of 5 balls (5 sixes)." One down, four to go. Mathematically at least

SK Pamiri: "Despite Bracewell's excellent economy of 3.5, the spinners went for 9 an over. This is how poor the other spinner, Sodhi was today." Think they targeted him from the get go. Bracewell's brilliance made it more pronounced and the batters took calculated risks that duly paid off.

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