Twitter Reactions: Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell power the Kiwis to a commanding win against Pakistan

New Zealand produced an emphatic victory against Pakistan in the 4th match of the T20I Tri-Series by nine wickets and have moved to the top of the points table. Michael Bracewell’s outstanding bowling spell combined with the phenomenal batting display from Finn Allen sealed the game for New Zealand.  

Earlier in the game, Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss and the openers added 30 runs for the first wicket until the in-form batter Mohammad Rizwan perished. The spinner Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner put a hold on the scoring rate and it led to the dismissal of Babar Azam for a 23-ball 21. Shan Masood, Shadab Khan and Haider Ali fell to the spin attack of the Kiwis and Pakistan were reeling at 77 for 5.  

Iftikhar Ahmed (27) and Asif Ali (25*) managed to get a partnership going and added 51 runs for the sixth wicket which helped Pakistan post a decent score of 130 for 7 in their 20 overs. Bracewell was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with 2 for 11 in his four overs, while Southee and Santner picked up two wickets each.  

New Zealand openers take Pakistan to the cleaners 

Defending a low total, Pakistan bowlers could not stop the New Zealand openers who went after the bowling straightaway. Finn Allen in particular looked in excellent touch and played an aggressive brand of cricket while Devon Conway continued his good form from the previous game. The pair stitched a 100-run partnership for the first wicket in no time and Allen reached a fantastic half-century in the process.  

In the 14th over of the innings, the match was almost done and dusted when Shadab Khan finally got a breakthrough in the form of Allen who was dismissed after a fabulous knock of 42-ball 62 that comprised of six sixes. The stage was set for Kane Williamson to finish the game and he remained unbeaten on 9 while Devon Conway missed out a half century by staying unbeaten on 49.  

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Pakistan didn't score a single six in their innings today in a ground like Christchurch.

New Zealand's opener Finn Allen ended up scoring six sixes alone. #NZvPAK

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 11, 2022

The choice of bowlers used initially can be discussed but nothing explains a 130/7 without a single 6 in a T20. #NZvPAK

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 11, 2022

A collective spin effort at Hagley! @braceyourself10 (2-11), @MitchellSantner (2-27) and Ish Sodhi (1-23) lead with the ball. Watch the chase LIVE in NZ with @sparknzsport and listen on @TodayFM_nz. #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/NIdOqyXSC5

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 11, 2022

First time in 8 years Pakistan have failed to hit a six in a completed T20I inns. Last time it was against Australia in Dubai in 2014. #NZvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 11, 2022

Just the six sixes and strike-rate of 147 for Finn Allen, he played at a significantly slower rate by his own standards. No player in the world has scored more T20 runs at a better strike-rate than him. Was picked in the IPL in 2020, had an amazing Super Smash too. #NZvPAK

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 11, 2022

New Zealand bowled only three overs of pace in the first 15 overs of the innings, Pakistan have started with four overs of pace in the first four overs. #NZvPAK

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 11, 2022

Pakistan cricket fans and experts -

On winning: We are a world class team.
On losing: we are experimenting, pitch was slow and sluggish. #NZvPAK #PAKvNZ

— Ashim  (@ashim_purohit) October 11, 2022