Shaheen Afridi Reflects on New Zealand Loss, Applauds Saim Ayub’s Performance

Afridi’s Captaincy Debut: Mixed Emotions

Pakistan’s captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, shared his thoughts after a 46-run defeat to New Zealand in the first T20I at Eden Park, Auckland. It marked Afridi’s inaugural stint as Pakistan’s T20 captain, and despite the loss, he expressed pride in leading the national team.

Afridi’s Take on the Match

“Always proud captaining your country. Short boundaries for fast bowlers, but it’s just a start, and we played very good cricket. We will try to give our best in the next few games,” Afridi commented post-match. Despite the setback, Afridi remains optimistic about Pakistan’s performance in the upcoming matches.

Saim Ayub’s Positive Impact

Afridi took a moment to praise opener Saim Ayub, who showcased brilliance with a quickfire 27 off 8 balls during Pakistan’s run-chase. “I think for us, it’s a positive sign. Saim Ayub played a good innings; you need to give them time, and we are planning for the World Cup, and that’s a start,” Afridi added, highlighting the promising talent in the team.

Missed Opportunities in the Chase

Despite Ayub’s impressive contribution, Pakistan stumbled in their chase. At 130-4 in 12.4 overs, they were still within reach, but Azam Khan’s batting woes added to the team’s struggles. Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Azam Khan underperformed, making the pursuit challenging.

Babar Azam’s Resilience in Vain

Former captain Babar Azam displayed resilience, top-scoring with 57 runs off 35 balls. However, his efforts fell short against New Zealand’s imposing target. Tim Southee, celebrating his 150th T20I wicket, led the Kiwi bowling attack with three crucial wickets, supported by Adam Milne and Ben Sears.

New Zealand’s Dominance in Batting

In the first innings, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson starred for New Zealand, scoring 57 and 61 runs respectively. Williamson, granted a second chance after a dropped catch by Babar Azam, made the most of it, setting the stage for the Kiwi batsmen to showcase their prowess.

Bowling Struggles for Pakistan

Pakistan’s bowlers faced a tough challenge, with Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf maintaining relatively decent economies. However, Afridi, despite an early breakthrough, conceded 46 runs while taking three wickets. Aamer Jamal and Usama Mir faced a barrage of runs, conceding 56 and 51 runs respectively.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, Afridi’s captaincy journey is just beginning. As Pakistan regroups, eyes are set on the next games, aiming for a comeback in the series. The T20I series promises more intense cricketing action, and Pakistan aims to bounce back, learning from the lessons of the opening match.