Well... it COULD turn out to play badly.. stuff not apparent on first inspection.. but... my point is... this is NOT a test match or even an ODI
Any flat strip will do for a T20 and clearly this is a proper professionally prepared strip.. way above what people play amateur cricket on all the time.

_________________
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1st T20I - RESULTS

Pakistan 105
New Zealand 106/3 (15.5/20 ov, target 106)

New Zealand won by 7 wickets (with 25 balls remaining)



3 Game T20 Series. New Zealand 1 V Pakistan 0

_________________
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I think Taylor robbed Munro of a record. Taylor should have taken a one on that last bat he scored a 4, to give Munro a chance for the 4th half-century in a row. It's not like Taylor had to run up the score at the end. They were obviously going to win. I bet I am NOT the only one thinking this. So obvious what COULD have happened.

But I did enjoy the match, T20I and all.

Yeah... Taylor is a self-absorbed prat!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

2nd T20I - New Zealand v Pakistan

Thu Jan 25, 2018 (20 ovs) 19:00 local (06:00 GMT)
Eden Park, Auckland LIVE N

Toss: Pakistan win and will bat.

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/1794 ... z-2017-18/






3 Game T20 Series. New Zealand 1 V Pakistan 0

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Weather - Update

I report LIVE from Auckland and (3 hours before game starts) weather is hot, humid and sunny

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New Zealand XI:
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ben Wheeler, Ish Sodhi, Seth Rance, Trent Boult

No Ross Taylor or Tom Latham


Pakistan XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees

_________________
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___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Eden Park is a SMALL cricket playing area ground (It is better suited to Rugby) and so...... ideal for T20 which is meant to be a boundary hitting fest to entertain the crowd.


Mind you in order to get an exciting game... the Pakistani side needs to bat well and set a high target.

I read that 165 was a "par score" for a T20I. I would suggest that on a small ground like Eden Park, a score of 200 is required.


So.... even though I support NZ... I would love to see Pakistan score 200

But then of course I would like to see NZ reach the target.. starting with Guptill and Murnro hitting lots of sixes .

_________________
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___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Pakistan not playing around.

My husband is watching with me and I just told him an hour ago how pathetic Pakistan is.

There is a record Guptill can break making 6's. I'll look it up and have it by the time NZ bats.

K

Say Hi to Hubby

THIS could be a good game to attract somebody "new to cricket".... then again..... cricket is a funny old game ... it could all turn to custard with Pakistani wickets falling like flies.. and NZ set only 120 or so to win.

But...... it's looking good so far.... two 6's in a row as I type.

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Thanks, Rumpole.

I'm thinking about someone else re the 6's. This is what I read about Guptill.

Martin Guptill needs 72 runs to become only the second batsman to make 2000 T20I runs

My gosh, all these 6's.

Yes, this may be a good match after all ... with all the pressure on NZ.

1st Wicket
Ahmed Shehzad c de Grandhomme b Rance 44 (34b 6x4 1x6) SR: 129.41

Pakistan 94/1 * (10/20 ov) RR 9.4
----------------------------
2nd Wicket
Fakhar Zaman c Sodhi b de Grandhomme 50 (28b 5x4 3x6) SR: 178.57

Pakistan 96/2 * (10.3/20 ov) RR 9.14
-------------------------
BTW. Over the game batsmen need average SR 166.67
For the team to reach 200
-------------------------
2x 12 over score prediction:
PAK: 108/2 | RR: 9.00 ====> Final score 216
-------------------------
3rd Wicket
Sarfraz Ahmed c Munro b Wheeler 41 (24b 2x4 3x6) SR: 170.83

Pakistan 187/3 * (18.3/20 ov) RR 10.1
-------------------------
4th Wicket
Faheem Ashraf c Santner b Wheeler 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Pakistan 188/4 * (18.5/20 ov) RR 9.98
-------------------------

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Pakistan have a GREAT base... they now need to whack 5 big overs.... otherwise the advantage will be lost

Pakistan 137/2 * (15/20 ov) RR 9.13

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Innings Break


Pakistan 201/2 (20/20 ov) RR 10.05


Target for New Zealand 202
Req. RR 10.1

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1st Wicket
C Munro lbw b Mohammad Amir 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

New Zealand 25/1 * (3/20 ov, target 202) RR 8.33
-----------------
2nd Wicket DUCK!
KS Williamson c Haris Sohail b Rumman Raees 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

New Zealand 28/2 * (3.3/20 ov, target 202) RR 8.00
-----------------
3rd Wicket
TC Bruce run out (Haris Sohail) 11 (8b 1x4 1x6) SR: 137.50

New Zealand 47/3 * (5.4/20 ov, target 202) RR 8.29
-----------------
4th Wicket
MJ Guptill c Umar Amin b Shadab Khan 26 (27b 1x4 1x6) SR: 96.29

New Zealand 52/4 * (6.5/20 ov, target 202)
-----------------

Too many wickets, Molly... slow down... K?

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It's NOT slowing down. LOL

5th Wicket
GD Phillips c Haris Sohail b Faheem Ashraf 5 (9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 55.55

New Zealand 58/5 * (7.5/20 ov, target 202) RR 7.40
-----------------
Good Lord have mercy.

6th Wicket
C de Grandhomme st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shadab Khan 10 (3b 1x4 1x6) SR: 333.33

New Zealand 64/6 * (8.2/20 ov, target 202) RR 7.68
-----------------

Ummmm...... That's enough.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Half-time

New Zealand require another 128 runs with 4 wickets and 60 balls (10 ov) remaining

RR 7.4
RRR 12.8

-----------------
2x 12 over score prediction:
NZ: 88/6 | RR: 7.33 ====> Final score 176

-----------------
Wow. What a difference an over can make. We got a partnership going now.

-----------------
Dang!
7th Wicket
BM Wheeler b Hasan Ali 30 (20b 2x4 2x6) SR: 150.00

New Zealand 118/7 * (14.3/20 ov, target 202) RR 8.13
-----------------
Damn!
8th Wicket
MJ Santner c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 37 (28b 4x4 0x6) SR: 132.14

New Zealand 152/8 * (17.5/20 ov, target 202) RR 8.52
-----------------
Crap!
9th Wicket
SHA Rance c Fakhar Zaman b Faheem Ashraf 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

New Zealand 153/9 * (18.1/20 ov, target 202)) RR 8.42
-----------------
10th Wicket
IS Sodhi c Babar Azam b Faheem Ashraf 15 (12b 1x4 1x6) SR: 125.00

2nd T20I - RESULTS

Pakistan 201/4
New Zealand 153 (18.3/20 ov, target 202)

Pakistan won by 48 runs



3 Game T20 Series. New Zealand 1 V Pakistan 1

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light