Salman Ali Agha reflects on victory in third T20I against New Zealand

Pakistan T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, praised his team’s outstanding performance following their comfortable nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series on Friday. The match was crucial for Pakistan as they needed a win to keep their hopes alive in the series, and Agha expressed satisfaction with the way his team played.

“Outstanding performance. Proper game we have played, the bowlers started really well and then the two youngsters batted really well. If you back the youngsters, they will do well like today. 200 is a par score on this wicket, and I just said to the guys we can chase this down if you bat well, he said.

Agha was also full of praise for the bowlers' efforts, who bowled out the hosts for 204 runs. 

“The bowlers did really well, restricting them to 200 was a very good effort from the bowlers, and I'm very happy,” he added.

In a crucial do-or-die situation, Agha emphasized that the team was focused on enjoying the game. 

“It was do or die and we just wanted to go out and enjoy ourselves today. Looking forward to the next game as well,” he further added.

Hasan Nawaz, who was named Player of the Match for his remarkable century, also shared his thoughts on the victory. 

Speaking at the post match conference, he said, “I was disheartened with the way I got out in the first two games but the captain and Shadab Khan backed me to play my natural game. The only thing on my mind was to get a single first, and I relaxed after getting that first run in international cricket.”

In the match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first. They restricted New Zealand to 204 runs, with Mark Chapman leading the charge for the hosts with a quick-fire knock of 94 runs.

In response, Pakistan chased down the target comfortably in just 16 overs. Along with Hasan Nawaz’s century, captain Salman Ali Agha contributed with an unbeaten half-century, and Mohammad Haris added 41 runs.

With this win, Pakistan has kept their hopes alive in the series, which now stands at 2-1 in favor of New Zealand. The final two matches of the series will be played in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.