Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, who returned to the team as vice-captain for the T20 series against New Zealand, failed to leave any mark with his performance.
Despite being given a crucial role in the squad, Shadab struggled throughout the series. In four innings across five matches, he managed only 58 runs at a disappointing average of 14.50. His bowling was equally ineffective, conceding 143 runs in 13 overs while taking just one wicket. His bowling average stood at 143, with an economy rate of 11 runs per over.
Shaheen Afridi’s Nightmare Series
Star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi had a series to forget, struggling to find his rhythm. In the four matches he played, Shaheen managed to take only two wickets at an average of 66.50, failing to provide the early breakthroughs Pakistan needed.
Batting Performance: Agha Salman Leads the Charts
Despite the team’s struggles, captain Agha Salman emerged as the top scorer for Pakistan. He accumulated 167 runs at an impressive average of 41.75, providing some stability to the batting lineup.
Debutant Hasan Nawaz had a mixed series, scoring three ducks and a single run in one game. However, his match-winning unbeaten 105 in the third T20 made him Pakistan’s second-highest run-getter, finishing with an average of 26.50.
Other notable batting performances included:
Abdul Samad: 66 runs at an average of 16.50
Mohammad Haris: 65 runs in five matches with an average of 13
Irfan Khan: 36 runs in three matches at an average of 12
Umar Yusuf & Usman Khan: Played one match each, scoring 7 runs apiece
Bowlers: Haris Rauf Leads with Eight Wickets
While most of Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled, pacer Haris Rauf stood out with eight wickets at an average of 12.25. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed also made an impact, claiming five wickets in the series.
Other bowling performances:
Abbas Afridi: 3 wickets
Sufiyan Muqeem: 2 wickets in one match
Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, and Khushdil Shah: 1 wicket each
Conclusion
Pakistan’s T20 series against New Zealand was a disappointing outing for some of the key players, with Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan failing to deliver. While Agha Salman and Haris Rauf showed promise, the overall performance of the team left much to be desired. The management will now look to address these weaknesses as they prepare for upcoming tournaments.