New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd Match at Christchurch, T20I Tri-Series, Oct 08 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo for today's game. We shall see you tomorrow for more tri-series action. Till then on behalf of M Venkat Raghav and Ankur Dhawan, this is Sreshth Shah saying sayonara!

Who is the Player of the Match? Aaaand it is Babar Azam, who held the chase together with his 79 in 53 balls at a terrific strike-rate of 149 too: "We started off well with the bat. Rizwan and I wanted to utilise the first six overs. We have a plan to utilise Shadab up the order to use his skills. He applied himself very well. I told him I'll go all the way and Shadab would take the chances. When we settled down to see the wicket and conditions, I planned to play till the end. (Surface?) Little bit different due to dew, maybe little bit spinners are finding it hard due to the dew."

Losing captain Williamson: "Certainly wasn't polished. Bit scrappy. We came up against a quality opposition. Pakistan were clinical and it was hard to get a rhythm. If we got two big overs there, the total would've been competitive. (Toss decision) We didn't think it would be this wet, since temperatures were close. (Lack of fluency in the batting?) It was not a surface you could get easy rhythm. Chapman came in and took the match-ups on, it was an outstanding innings. It was tough to time, even in the second innings. At the same time, Pakistan were outstanding. (Uncharacteristic fielding performance) We pride ourselves in that area. Need to just switch on and hopefully a few learnings going into tomorrow night. The guys are feeling good, and we know its a tough match tomorrow. Same surface, looking forward to tomorrow."

Winning captain Babar again: "We played really well. Our bowlers bowled well in the first six and finished well too. As captain, I am very happy. (Learnings from yesterday put to use?) We assessed the conditions and executed the plans. Shadab played well and Nawaz too. (No wide or no ball) Very happy as captain. No extra runs. (Perfect start before NZ again) Very happy and we have done our best. We need to sit together and discuss before next game."

22.40pm Tomorrow, we will have more tri-series action with NZ taking on Bangladesh. NZ will surely not take Bangladesh lightly, more so since Bangladesh stunned them in a Test match earlier in the year courtesy Ebadot Hossain and co. Both sides will be feeling the pressure and NZ also have to think about managing their key resources well, more so since their list of injured players are growing before the World Cup. However, they should have Santner in the XI tomorrow.

Ahmad : "Pakistan got some answers today.Shadab bats at in WC. And haider at 5.Add one extra pacer in place of asif and we are good to go."

22.37pm Yesterday's win over Bangladesh would've made Pakistan feel good, but beating the hosts today will give Pakistan a lot of joy. A great weekend of cricket for Pakistan fans as the two teams shake hands. Plenty of positives for the men in green today - Shadab, Haris, Wasim with the ball. Shadab, Babar, Haider with the bat. Don't forget Nawaz's two wickets of Conway and Williamson either. As for New Zealand, Tickner cranked up the pace early on and Mark Chapman made a solid 32 at a strike-rate of 200, but apart from those two, not much else to talk about. Boult and Southee were tidy were defending 147 in Christchurch is very tough.

Three to win. Sodhi, economy of 13.50, will bowl. Long on and deep square leg on the boundary line. Will Babar do it in ones or look for a glory shot?

Young Haider Ali. Had the chance of watching him very closely at the U-19 World Cup in 2020 in South Africa. Great to see him mature since his teen days but hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities in the Pakistan XI. And here he is now, in a tricky situation, needing to get his eye in without the luxury of time on his side

Ibad: "Although we should appreciate what nawaz is trying to do, he needs to hit out or run himself out." -- He's trying his best to hit though

naufal : "@ Adil-- u conveniently forgot the ASIAN CHAMPIONS SRI LANKA"

Adil: "Based on form and recent performances, India, Australia, England and South Africa are better than this current New Zealand roster" -- Not sure India nor England have the bowling for Australia though. They could go for a lot of runs, however, their batters can chase anything down on their day. I'd definitely put Pakistan among the top four.

JOYDEEPSINGHGIL: "Danny yeah you're spot on. New Zealand were in 2015 odis wc runners up, 2016 t20i in SF, 2019 Odis wc runners up, 2021 t20i runners up, won the 2021 wtc championship "

Ali Hasni: "Pak must avoid this habit of winning even the low total in last over, they must finish this by 18 over today"