New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

After a chaotic exit at Champions Trophy 2025, amidst heavy backlash from fans, Pakistan selected fresh T20I and ODI teams. There was almost embarrassment in the first game as the batters looked completely clueless. But today the young and inexperienced unit did fight. The usual ones - Salman, Shadab and Shaheen got the runs. But Pakistan were easily 20-25 short of a par score on this track. NZ started off on a treacherous note as Shaheen got the ball to talk in the first over but that was it. NZ openers post that retaliated and Pakistan had no answers to it. It is 2-0 and Pakistan will have to do really well to keep the series alive from here on. We will be back soon with more cricketing action.

Michael Bracewell: Very good bowling performance. We bowled well into the wind. The wicket has been under cover. There was extra bounce on it. The death bowlers bowled really well. We were happy at the half time. It was tough bowling into the wind. Tried to hit it into the wind. We have been playing some good cricket. The guys are hitting the ball well. The bowlers are hitting the right lines. It was pretty cold but hopefully we played some entertaining cricket.

Salman Ali Agha: It was freezing. It was a good game compared to the last game. We batted batter. Fielding was outstanding. Bowling in patches was good. The bounce we need to understand is different. After the powerplay, we bowled well. Haris bowled well. We need to be better in the powerplay. As a batting unit, we need to have better powerplay. And same as a bowling unit as well.

Tim Seifert: Was great fun. Thought it could be a tricky wicket after the first over. Not too much conversations. Just backed our skills. Always playing for your team is a dream. You are playing with the world's best players. You need to know the way you want to play. You learn and get better. I dropped two catches in the first game. Was nervous on the field.

18:23 Local Time, 05:23 GMT, 10:53 IST: Another comprehensive win. NZ bossed the chase ever since Shaheen bowled a maiden to start the essay. Allen hit three sixes off Ali in the second over of the innings and Seifert came back at Shaheen with four sixes in the third over. Post that, Pakistan just kept on chasing the game. They picked up a few wickets, a couple of good catches but the runs on board were just not enough. NZ batted in only two gears. The top-order batters went crash bang and wallop! And once the chase was in sight, the others batted responsibly to chase it down with 11 balls to spare. It never seemed as if NZ lost a lot of sweat to win this. Pakistan would take solace from the fact that they have done better than the last game. The next game will have the series on the line for the visitors.

Jahandad Khan to Michael Bracewell, FOUR, the skipper hits the winning runs! That was banged in short, Michael Bracewell got into a good position and pulled it over mid-wicket for a four. NZ go 2-0 up in the series

Jahandad Khan [1.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, 1 run, back of a length delivery, outside off, patted down to deep cover for a single

Michael Bracewell, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Haris Rauf to Mitchell, out Caught by Shadab Khan!! And Shadab takes a blinder to his right. Rauf engulfs him in a hug. They share a smile. Dives full length to his right and grabs it out of thin air. That was a back of a length delivery, slower, Mitchell punched it off the back foot and the man at cover went at it with his two hands to take an excellent catch. Mitchell wasn't having a great time out there and has to depart. Second wicket for Haris Rauf. Mitchell c Shadab Khan b Haris Rauf 14(14) [4s-1]

Haris Rauf to Mitchell, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Haris Rauf to Mitchell Hay, 1 run, length delivery, Mitchell Hay stabs it wide of the man at point for a single. 4 needed now to win this

Haris Rauf to Mitchell, leg byes, 1 run, and strikes him on his helmet. Was banged in short, Mitchell looked to pull and misses. That was quick and Mitchell was late on it. The physio did a concussion check and we will carry on. Haris Rauf wasn't too happy after the dropped chance and bowled it short by bending his back

Haris Rauf to Mitchell Hay, 1 run, Shadab drops it at cover! Was a leading edge, went very high, the ball kept swirling and the fielder under it kept going in circles and ended up dropping it. Easy one goes down. Only a shot away now. Was a fuller length delivery, Mitchell Hay looked to clip it and got a fat leading edge on it

Haris Rauf to Mitchell Hay, SIX, angled in, short, Mitchell Hay plays an attacking shot for a change and pulls that over deep mid. Was a quick short ball and Mitchell Hay got on top of the bounce to send it packing

Haris Rauf [2.0-0-11-1] is back into the attack

Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run, and a single to end the over. 10 off the over. NZ doing it easy. On the pads, tucked down to deep mid for a single

Shadab Khan to Mitchell, 1 run, short ball, turned in a smidgen and pulled down to deep mid for a single

Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, 1 run, dragged short, pulled down to deep mid for a single

Shadab Khan to Mitchell, 1 run, 16 needed now to win. Was short, outside off, slapped down to long-off for a single. Shadab trying to warm his hands as it is very cold out there