WellingtonAhead of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup, a dominant New Zealand sent a warning to its rivals after thrashing Pakistan by 95 runs on Friday to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1 at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.
It was the last Twenty20 international for New Zealand and Pakistan before the tournament in India in March, with the Black Caps confident after back-to-back wins.
New Zealand victory over Pakistan in the Twenty20 cricket series decider was overshadowed by a significant Ross Taylor injury concern and another minor scare.
Allrounder Corey Anderson was man of the match after bludgeoning 82 off 42 balls, but limped off after bowling his third over (figures of 2-17).
Ross Taylor leaves the pitch with a side strain against Pakistan. His ailment was later confirmed as cramp, after he’d sparked near panic in the medical ranks by continuing bowling.
There was more concern for key batsman Ross Taylor who faced four deliveries before retiring hurt with a left side injury and wasn’t seen again. It may have been a precaution but still a significant worry ahead of the three ODIs starting at the Basin Reserve on Monday then a big tour by Australia.
Taylor was being monitored by medical staff but there was no immediate update on his condition.
Still it was a win and a dominant one as the Black Caps racked up 196-5 and strung two together in their final match before the World T20 in India in March.
Corey Anderson blasted a confidence-boosting 82 against Pakistan in the third T20 international.
They caught brilliantly as Pakistan’s batsmen largely self-destructed to fold for 101 in veteran skipper captain Shahid Afridi’s farewell match in New Zealand.
While Taylor’s departure was cause for worry, the return of Anderson was a welcome sight. In just two innings for the Black Caps since his back stress fracture suffered in England last May he’d scored two and nought.
This time, after Martin Guptill set a blazing platform with 42 off 19 balls and captain Kane Williamson hit 33 at a run a ball, Anderson opened his broad shoulders in spectacular style.
After the big allrounder’s sharp four-over spell in Hamilton it showed his immense value when he fires in both disciplines, and how important he’ll be for the Black Caps’ hopes in India.
He clouted six fours and four sixes, swinging hard in the arc from extra cover to mid-wicket and some thick edges thrown in.
Earlier a ball didn’t swing for Pakistan’s bowlers, even if Afridi was his usual miserly self.
Mohammad Amir conceded nine an over and the aggressive Wahab Riaz had the most success but ended with 2-42. It was a belter of a pitch and New Zealand’s batsmen prospered, cantering past the ground record T20 international total of 163-6 which they set against West Indies in 2014.
In the previous five T20 internationals at the ground the chasing team had won but despite winning the toss, Pakistan were never a chance. Requiring nearly 10 an over they soon slumped to 36-4 and it was game over.
With a spring in their legs everything fell the Black Caps’ way in the field. It started when a Trent Boult slower ball was scooped up by Mohammad Hafeez and Mitchell Santner took a brilliant running catch. Boult took a sharp low grab in the deep and Mitchell McClenaghan sprinted and dived to give Anderson his second wicket.
Santner swooped to run out the recalled Mohammad Rizwan and it was verging on comical.
There was no boom boom from Afridi in his farewell knock and Grant Elliott removed him for eight. Elliott and speedster Adam Milne rumbled through the middle order with three cheap wickets apiece.
The New Zealand selection for the match gave some key clues into their World T20 thinking. They omitted Matt Henry for a second successive match and he looks to be the unlucky one if they opt for a four-pace, three spin bowling mix as hinted by coach Mike Hesson.
On January 15, Pakistan won the first match by 16 runs before New Zealand stormed the second by 10 wickets with a world record 171 partnership between Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson. The hosts maintained that form to win the third and final match of the series to wrap the series 2-1 on a high note.
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