Shaheen Afridi’s shined with the bat but struggled with the ball as Seifert attacked him. Can Pakistan improve and fight back in the series.
Shaheen Afridi’s Difficult Bowling Spell:
In the second Twenty20 International, Shaheen Afridi startled spectators with a huge six against New Zealand, but he had trouble with the ball and was hit for four sixes in one over by Tim Seifert. His inconsistent performance demonstrated his ability to hit with force and the difficulties he encountered as a bowler.
Shaheen Afridi is one of Pakistan’s most feared fast bowlers, but in the second T20I against New Zealand on March 18, 2025, he grabbed attention for a different reason his batting. He launched a monstrous six that sent the ball out of the ground, showcasing his hidden power-hitting abilities. However, on the bowling front, he had a tough time as New Zealand’s Tim Seifert smashed him for four sixes in a single over. The match had its highs and lows for Pakistan, with moments of brilliance and struggles.
Shaheen Afridi’s Huge Six:
During Pakistan’s innings, one of the most thrilling moments came when Shaheen Afridi played an unbelievable shot. In the 15th over, New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham bowled a full delivery outside off stump. Shaheen, known more for his pace than his batting, swung his bat with immense power, sending the ball high over the long-on boundary.
The balltraveled an estimated 95 meters, clearing the stadium and leaving fans in awe. The hit was so massive that the fourth umpire had to bring out a set of new balls, though the original ball was later recovered.
While Pakistan struggled to build a big total, Shaheen’s six provided a rare moment of excitement. His short but impactful innings of 22 runs off 14 balls added crucial runs to Pakistan’s total and reminded everyone of his ability to contribute with the bat.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue:
Pakistan’s overall batting performance in the rain-shortened match (15 overs per side) was far from ideal. The team posted 135/9, a total that seemed competitive but not entirely convincing.
Key Moments in Pakistan’s Innings:
- Poor Start: Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for a duck in the first over, setting a negative tone.
- Early Collapse: Mohammad Haris (11) and Irfan Khan (11) couldn’t stay long at the crease, putting pressure on the middle order.
- Salman Agha’s Effort: Captain Salman Agha scored 46 runs, holding the innings together for a while.
- Shadab Khan’s Cameo: Shadab Khan provided some quick runs, scoring 26 off 14 balls before getting out.
- Shaheen Afridi’s Quickfire Knock: Afridi’s late hits, including his monstrous six, helped Pakistan reach 135/9.
Despite a few good knocks, Pakistan’s batting lacked stability, making it difficult to put up a strong total against a powerful New Zealand side.
New Zealand’s Dominant Chase:
New Zealand came into the chase with confidence, needing 136 runs in 15 overs. Their batters attacked right from the start, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under immense pressure.
Seifert’s Destruction of Shaheen Afridi’s:
Shaheen Afridi, expected to lead Pakistan’s bowling attack, had a difficult outing. His most challenging moment came when Tim Seifert smashed him for four sixes in a single over.
- In Shaheen’s second over, Seifert launched an aggressive attack hitting.
- Four consecutive sixes, including a 119-meter monster hit, one of the biggest sixes in recent T20 cricket.
- A total of 24 runs in one over, shifting momentum completely in New Zealand’s favor. Shaheen finished his spell with figures of 3 overs and 31 runs conceded, struggling to find his rhythm.
New Zealand’s Smooth Chase:
- Strong Opening: The New Zealand openers built a solid start, setting the stage for an easy chase.
- Seifert’s Quick Knock: Seifert scored 45 runs off just 22 balls, making Pakistan’s bowling look ineffective.
- Clinical Finish: New Zealand chased down the target with six wickets in hand, sealing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Series:
This loss exposed Pakistan’s key weaknesses, especially in:
- Batting in the powerplay: Early wickets put the team under pressure.
- Bowling in the death overs: Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain runs, allowing New Zealand to chase comfortably.
- Fielding issues: Dropped catches and misfields hurt Pakistan’s chances.
Captain Salman Agha’s Post-Match Reaction:
After the match, Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha admitted that the team showed slight improvement but needed to step up in key areas:
“It was freezing. We batted better, our fielding was outstanding, and our bowling was good in patches. But we need to perform better in powerplays both as a batting and bowling unit.”
Pakistan now faces a must-win situation in the next match to stay alive in the series.
What Will Happen to Pakistan Next?
To maintain their aspirations, Pakistan, now behind 0–2 in the series, needs to mount a formidable comeback in the third Twenty20 International. Their top-order batting, which has performed poorly in both games, is one of the main causes for concern. Building a competitive total requires a strong start, and important batsmen like Agha Salman and Mohammad Haris must assume accountability. It will be extremely tough to post or chase a difficult score if the top order falters once again since the middle and lower orders will be under tremendous pressure to bounce back.
Execution in the final overs, when Pakistan’s bowlers have given up too many runs, is another crucial area. Tim Seifert destroyed Shaheen Afridi in the last game, therefore he needs to improve his tactics to prevent giving up heavy hits. In times of pressure, the bowlers must also maintain composure and make wise choices. If Pakistan wishes to recover and save the series, it will be crucial to be calm, learn from past mistakes, and carry out plans well.
Conclusion:
From Shaheen Afridi’s enormous six to Seifert’s vicious striking against him, the second Twenty20 International between Pakistan and New Zealand featured some exciting moments. Despite making considerable progress from the first game, Pakistan lost the match as a result of their bat and ball problems.
Pakistan currently has an uphill struggle after losing two games in the series. Their resiliency and capacity to recover will be put to the test in the upcoming game. Will New Zealand continue to dominate, or can Pakistan make a comeback? Fans will be anxiously awaiting the news.
