A cool, calm, collected and colourful Sarfraz Ahmed steered Pakistan carefully through to victory, during the 1st T20 between themselves and the New Zealanders, in Dubai.
The usually stifling Dubai heat presented itself for another sweltering day in the populous city that Pakistan have adopted as their home.
The tossing of the coin almost seems rigged now, because Pakistan won yet another toss at home, but this time they chose to field, which is probably a better choice for T20 matches.
New Zealand’s openers strutted out to the crease looking all buff with their chests puffed out and a hint of arrogance in their presence.
Anwar Ali sorted them out though, as he gave Kane Williamson a send off that he won’t forget for some time, on just his very first ball. Williamson was trudging back with a golden Donald as a souvenir, as he was caught on the crease plumb L.B.W, during what would have been his ‘breakout’ match as captain due to Brendon McCullum’s resting.
Things stayed somber for the Kiwis, with a further collapse in their top order. Anton Devich came out to the crease and went almost straight away for just one run, as Sohail Tanvir had him L.B.W.
However, experience came in and was a hope of settling the Kiwi ship travelling across the Trans Tasman! Ross Taylor didn’t get a very nice welcome, and was walking back with a frown before he could even survive his first over.
Martin Guptill was among the best for New Zealand’s batting, as he hit a quick 32 to steady the ship and actually get some runs on the board!
But, Guptill had to go, after Shahid Afridi knocked over his woodwork. Corey Anderson was to flourish though, smashing 48 from 37 deliveries in typical Corey fashion, including four gargantuan maximums.
Luke Ronchi helped Anderson along with 33 to take New Zealand to 135, which seemed far too little runs for their bowlers to play with.
Pakistan basically made a fool of New Zealand, with Sarfraz Ahmed and Awais Zia putting on 51 for the first wicket, before Zia was run out for 20 after some sloppy running from the opener.
Mohammad Hafeez was the next victim for New Zealand, as he was gone quickly after trying to steal a single from a leg bye, but he ended up being gone for two run out.
Haris Sohail made a small knock of 11 before he was walking too, which left it between Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Akmal.
The pair put the U.A.E. crowd on their feet, with an array of classy strokes and pristine timing that time and time again sent the cherry flying away to the fence.
Sarfraz was the anchor of the whole innings for Pakistan, but showed off all the strokes in the textbook. Hitting a cool eight fours and two maximums, Sarfraz helped himself to 76 unbeaten runs for the Pakistanis and picked the up man of the match award.
Umar Akmal was in good touch too for 27 not out from just 14 deliveries, as the pair saw Pakistan through to an easy victory over New Zealand.
The Kiwis were probably 20-30 runs short, but they put up a good fight with the ball. On Pakistan’s day, not many nations can knock over their towers at home.
That concludes the first T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan, we now have one more before the ODIs come to conclude this massive tour!
Kane Williamson was gone for a first ball duck! Image: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images
