Ahead of the penultimate Twenty20 International against New Zealand, the Pakistan cricket team faces the absence of key batsman Mohammad Rizwan due to a hamstring injury. However, despite this setback, captain Babar Azam remains optimistic about his team’s chances of bouncing back from their recent defeat and clinching the five-match series.
With the series currently level at 1-1, the depleted New Zealand squad, missing several of their star players due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League, stunned Pakistan by securing a seven-wicket victory in the third game.
Addressing reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium, Babar acknowledged the absence of Rizwan’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s top order but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and urged his players to avoid repeating past mistakes in order to secure victory in the remaining matches of the series.
Despite the setback, Babar highlighted the series as an opportunity for the Pakistan squad, which features several new players, to gel into a winning combination ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.
Babar also expressed faith in bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to bounce back from their tough outing in the previous match, where they were challenged by New Zealand batter Mark Chapman.
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating that their victory in the third T20 had restored their confidence. He praised Chapman’s exceptional knock in the last match and emphasized the importance of making necessary adjustments to continue their momentum in the upcoming matches.
With both teams eyeing victory in the series, the stage is set for an exciting contest as Pakistan and New Zealand prepare to battle it out in the remaining matches at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 27, with the final match of the series set to follow shortly after.
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