Michael Bracewell Praises Bowling Effort As New Zealand Beats Pakistan In Second T20I

March 18, 2025: New Zealand emerged victorious by five wickets in the second T20I against Pakistan in Dunedin on Tuesday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Following the win, Kiwi skipper Michael Bracewell and Player of the Match Tim Seifert spoke about their team's performance during the post-match presentation.

Bracewell praised the efforts of his bowling unit, highlighting the tough conditions they faced during the game. He acknowledged that bowling into the wind was challenging but expressed satisfaction with the way his bowlers executed their plans. "Very good bowling performance. We bowled well into the wind. The wicket has been undercover. There was extra bounce on it. The death bowlers bowled well. We were happy at half-time," Bracewell said. "It was tough bowling into the wind. Tried to hit it into the wind. We have been playing some good cricket. The guys are hitting the ball well. The bowlers are hitting the right lines. It was pretty cold, but hopefully, we played some entertaining cricket."

Tim Seifert, who was named Player of the Match, also reflected on the team's performance. He admitted that the pitch was tricky after the first over, but he trusted his skills and the preparation of the team. Seifert mentioned his nerves after dropping two catches in the first T20I, but said it was a dream to play for his country. "Was great fun. Thought it could be a tricky wicket after the first over. Not too many conversations. Just backed our skills. Always playing for your team is a dream. You are playing with the world's best players. You need to know the way you want to play. You learn and get better. I dropped two catches in the first game. Was nervous on the field," Seifert said.

Seifert’s knock, alongside solid bowling efforts, was crucial in securing the win for New Zealand. In a rain-affected match, Pakistan could only manage 135/9 in their 15 overs, with Salman Agha’s 46 runs being the highest score for Pakistan. New Zealand chased down the target with 11 balls to spare, reaching 136/5, with Seifert contributing a crucial knock.

The series now stands at 2-0 in favor of New Zealand, with three more matches to be played. Both teams will look to build momentum in the upcoming fixtures, with New Zealand in the driver's seat after their solid performances in the first two games.

New Zealand squad: Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O'Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan.