16 Apr 2023

Pakistan take 2-nil series lead with big win over Black Caps

8:35 am on 16 April 2023
Black Caps batsman Tom Latham.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Caps have suffered a heavy 38 run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the second Twenty20 match in Lahore.

Batting first Pakistan made 192 for four, thanks to an impressive 101 run knock by Babar Azam.

But in reply New Zealand wickets fell at regular intervals.

Mark Chapman was the only real bright spot in the Black Caps run chase with 65 not out.

The Black Caps bowlers conceeded 56 runs off just the last four overs but captain Tom Latham told Sky Sport he thinks they are not far away from a better performance.

"I think the bowlers have certainly been trying hard, it's one of those things where we're probably not that far away ...if we can piece it all together in the bowling department I think we'll give ourselves a good chance," Latham said.

Latham and fellow opener Chad Bowes made 19 and 26 runs respectively.

But Latham says they didn't kick on when they could have.

"And they bowled really well through the middle, they were able to take wickets at all stages and we weren't able to build those partnerships.

"And around that 13th over, we then went about five overs making 30 odd runs with four wickets and we just weren't able to finish the innings off well."

The sides meet on Tuesday morning with Pakistan leading the 5 match series 2-nil.