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Pakistan and New Zealand squared off in the T20I tri-series final on Friday (October 14). After both sides ended with three wins and a loss each in the group stage, the two heavyweights met once again in the summit clash, which was eventually won by Babar Azam & Co. by five wickets in pursuit of 164.
After Opting to bowl first, at the Oval, the Pakistan bowlers did well to restrict Kane Williamson’s New Zealand for 163-7 in 20 overs, with the skipper top-scoring with a fine 38-ball 59. Haris Rauf was the most successful bowler, with 2 for 22 at 5.50.
In reply, Pakistan lost Babar for cheap (15) whereas No. 1 T20I batter Md Rizwan departed for 35. Nonetheless, Mohammad Nawaz’s 22-ball 38*, Haider Ali’s 31 and Iftikhar Ahmed’s 14-ball 25 not out took their side home in the last over of the contest, with three balls to spare.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s thunderbolt breaks Glenn Phillips’ bat
Haris Rauf, who has been in decent form in recent times, once again shone in the final. He bowled at a good pace and looked in fine rhythm ahead of the showpiece T20 event.
In the fourth delivery of sixth over during New Zealand’s innings, Rauf bowled an absolute ripper at 143kmph to Glenn Phillips that broke the right-hander’s bat. A thick chunk of willow was seen flying off after the delivery hit the bottom of the bat. The pacey delivery drew the applause of commentators and spectators as Phillips lost one of his favourite bats. Later Phillips’ cameo of 29 runs off 22 balls was cut short by Nawaz in the 12th over. The video went viral in no time on social media.
