Pakistan's Embarrassing Finish: A Series to Forget
By: Fahad Younis - March 26, 2025, 10:07 a.m.
And just like that, it's over. Pakistan has slumped to yet another crushing defeat, losing the final T20I by eight wickets and handing New Zealand a 4-1 series victory. If there was any hope of salvaging some pride in this last match, it was quickly dashed. From a clueless batting display to a spineless bowling effort, it’s hard to find anything positive to say.
Let’s start with the batting — if you can even call it that. 128 for 9? Seriously? For a team that was supposedly trying to make a statement, this was a weak, half-hearted attempt at best. Hassan Nawaz picked up yet another duck — his third of the series — proving that his one-off century was little more than a flash in the pan. At this point, it’s fair to question why he was continually backed while Omair Bin Yousaf and Sufiyan Maqeem warmed the bench.
Then there’s Shadab Khan. He has been miserable throughout the series, and yet, predictably, he was back in the XI. OK he scored some runs while batting today – 28 off 20 balls. He managed to share a brief stand with Salman Ali Agha, who, to his credit, was the only one to show any intent. In bowling? Well, he did what he does best lately — leaked runs. 33 in 2 overs. To think that he once had promise is genuinely sad. Agha’s 51 was a lone effort amidst the ruins. But even that wasn’t enough to drag Pakistan to anything resembling a defendable total.
Jimmy Neesham ripped through Pakistan’s so-called batting lineup like a knife through butter, picking up 5 for 22. Five wickets for 22 runs. It’s laughable how easily Pakistan crumbled, but is it even a surprise anymore? Once again, we showed no adaptability, no fight, and no answers.
And then came the bowling. Jahandad Khan opening the attack and conceding 18 runs in his first over pretty much set the tone. It’s not like the others were any better. New Zealand raced to 92 in the powerplay, their highest-ever T20I six-over score. Tim Seifert looked like he was playing on a different pitch entirely, smashing a blistering 97 off 38 balls*. Boundaries rained down, and Pakistan’s bowlers were left staring at the sky, probably wondering what went wrong. Spoiler alert: everything.
Sufiyan Maqeem was the only one to provide a semblance of control, picking up two quick wickets. Imagine that — the one player who got a chance after the series was already lost actually delivered. And yet, instead of learning from this, we’ll likely see the same usual suspects back in the next series.
The cherry on top? Shadab's final over. Four sixes in six balls, sealing the defeat in the most humiliating fashion. If this match wasn’t painful enough to watch, that final over made sure it would be etched in memory for all the wrong reasons.
Pakistan's management now has some serious thinking to do. How much longer can we watch the same players fail without consequences? The absence of accountability is glaring. New Zealand, on the other hand, has every reason to celebrate. They showcased their depth, talent, and dominance, while we’re left wondering if there’s any further depth for Pakistan to sink to.
Until something changes, the answer is probably yes.
Fahad Younis
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I'm not a cricket expert, nor am I a professional writer—I’m just a passionate fan of Pakistan cricket. From thrilling victories to heartbreaking losses, I follow the team through every high and low. Stumps and Dugout is my space to share thoughts, reactions, and analysis from a fan’s perspective. Whether it’s squad selections, match performances, or just the unpredictable nature of Pakistan cricket, I’m here to talk about it all.
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