New Zealand 166 for 5 (Young 56, Chapman 51, Siddique 3-26) beat United Arab Emirates 134 for 7 (Aayan 42, Hameed 24*, Lister 3-35) after 32 runs
New Zealand put in a complete performance as they returned to form after Saturday’s loss, claiming their third T20I championship in 32 runs and ending the three-match series 2-1.
Victory was set by Will Young in his fifties, playing his first game in the series, and Mark Chapman, who continued from where he left off in the second game, as the visitors won 166 won 5 of their 20 rounds. Junaid Siddique was the pitcher’s pick for the home team, picking 3 to 26.In response, the top half of the UAE was blown away by some limited New Zealand bowling. Basil Hameed and Aayan Afzal Khan added 68 of 57 for game six, but it came a bit late for the hosts as they were only able to muster 134 to 7.
The coin goes the way of Waseem
Muhammad Waseem made three thirds of the throw and managed to get first place because he had all the series. The UAE pitchers then backed their captain’s decision by limiting New Zealand to 38 in power play while also eliminating the opening goal. Tim Seifert made his mark with a fierce slash while Chad Bowes also started with a slash through the covers. But Bowes’ joy was short-lived when Muhammad Jawadullah brought him back with a short ball of sliding length that he could only take the lead to a short third, where Zahoor finished. into a catch on the second attempt.
Siddique then knocks out Seifert, who strikes his pull to Hameed’s right at the deep square foot to the back, the puncher sprints low to his right and knocks out a squawker. New Zealand was more active in the power game but it happened at just over six seconds.
Young, Chapman hot in the middle
While the first installment plays out in a similar pattern to the previous game, Young and Chapman made sure they’ll handle the mids differently this time around. Young scored the opener with a sharp header from his second ball before sending Siddique over the long-legged barrier. Young slowed a touchdown as Seifert fell but Hameed’s three consecutive fourths kept him on and he hit fifty of his 40 balls.
Young found an ally in Chapman, with the duo adding 84 balls from just 60 for a third racket to tilt the balance in New Zealand’s favor. Chapman was initially cautious but took 17 past Mohammed Faraazuddin to get into the flow. The surface seemed to be better for hitting shots than in the first two games and both hitters took advantage of it as New Zealand went from 55-2 after nine rounds to 132-3 after 16. Chapman was Hit 50 balls out of 30 with five fours and two sixs as New Zealand looks set for a high total.
Siddique three times stopped the New Zealand attack
Siddique has returned to form after being rested from the second T20I, by picking three key pegs to keep his side going in the game. He eliminated Seifert in the power game and then eliminated both Young and Chapman in the span of two passes. Young was accused of a slower short ball that he could only cover with a spoon while Chapman swung a square leg straight into the back.
Siddique’s spell blocked New Zealand’s momentum in the late game. They have only managed to score 24 runs in their last three rounds, including six points from the final ball of the half from Mitchell Santner.
New Zealand keeps mistakes to a minimum
After a daughter of Tim Southee, Ben Lister was eliminated by Waseem for two consecutive rounds. But Lister hit back immediately to capture Waseem’s outer line. Vriitya Aravind scored a few boundary-breaking goals but he was dropped by Kyle Jamieson as the hosts went 40-2 after a power play.
While that is still more of what New Zealand manages in them, the UAE cannot successfully capitalize on the midfield. Aryansh Sharma was beaten by Santner at the age of 16 before Adithya Ashok claimed his first international racket sent back to Asif Khan. Two balls later Ansh Tandon made an almost impossible run and the UAE lost 3 to 9 out of 11 balls.
At the rate of 56 to 5 after 10 rounds, the odds are always in favor of the UAE. Hameed and Aayan tried to keep the UAE moving forward but the big hits never came. There are some boundaries from time to time but New Zealand follows discipline. Lister then picked up two goals in the 19th inning to finish 3 to 35 as New Zealand comfortably won.
Ashish Pant is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
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