Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha seeks a rapid improvement from his team after a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand. Despite a poor batting display, he aims for a better performance in their series continuation. New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson excelled with career-best figures, marking a successful return from injury.

Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has called for a swift response from his team following their disappointing nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand in Christchurch. The match marked a shaky start for Pakistan’s tour, where they were bowled out for a mere 91 runs at Hagley Oval, with New Zealand easily chasing the target with one wicket lost. This game was significant for Salman, leading a new-look side featuring three debutants and missing regulars Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

Following the match, Salman acknowledged the challenges posed by the conditions, stating, “It was obviously difficult, they were bowling in the right area, and there was swing and seam for them as well.” He added, “But we didn’t bat up to the mark. Always in New Zealand, the new ball does a bit, and we have the bowlers who can do that too. We don’t have much time. We need to regather as quickly as we can.”

On the New Zealand side, pacer Kyle Jamieson was instrumental in their victory, achieving career-best figures of 3/8 and earning the Player of the Match title. He rapidly dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup, claiming three wickets in his first over. This match was particularly notable for Jamieson, as it marked his return to T20I cricket on home soil after more than four years interrupted by injury.

Jamieson, who gained prominence during the ICC World Test Championship Final against India in 2021, expressed relief at his health, stating, “It’s been a long last year and a long couple of years, really. It’s just nice to be on the park and nice to be fit and healthy.” He aims to leverage upcoming fixtures against Pakistan to demonstrate his capabilities in white-ball cricket.

In summary, the Pakistan cricket team aims to recover quickly from their recent defeat against New Zealand under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha. The performance highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly in batting under challenging conditions. On the other hand, Kyle Jamieson’s impressive return to form adds significant depth to the New Zealand bowling attack. Both teams will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the forthcoming matches, starting in Dunedin.

Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com