Biggest T20I Defeats For Pakistan

Bhargav Dixit

New Zealand beat Pakistan 4-1. [Source: @TheRealPCB/X]New Zealand beat Pakistan 4-1. [Source: @TheRealPCB/X]

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During the recently concluded fifth T20I of Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand at the Sky Stadium, New Zealand beat Pakistan by 8 wickets. A 1-4 series defeat is just a defeat less than the worst possible start to life post dropping their two highest run-scorers – Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Among Pakistan’s seven bilateral series in New Zealand, their batters’ strike rate of 119.57 this time is the lowest. Similarly, an economy rate of 10.49 for their bowlers is also the highest across all bilateral tours of New Zealand.

That the home team chased a 129-run target with as many as 10 overs to spare resulted in Pakistan’s biggest defeat (by balls remaining) in T02I history. Their biggest defeats are:

1. 60 Balls (vs New Zealand in Wellington)

Invited to bat first by Michael Bracewell, all Pakistan’s inexperienced batting lineup could manage was a shambolic performance. With no support for captain Salman Agha and all-rounder Shadab Khan, Pakistan ended up with a below par 128/9 in 20 overs at a venue which had witnessed the highest successful T20I run-chase in New Zealand during its last match.

If Pakistani batters had no answers for James Neesham, who picked a maiden five-wicket haul, their bowlers were found wanting against Tim Seifert’s career-best knock.

2. 59 Balls (vs New Zealand in Christchurch)

In the absence of senior players, the fact that Pakistan embarrassed themselves with two biggest T20I defeats in the same series doesn’t speak highly of their bench strength. Just like they have ended the series with an archetype thumping, the start was no different.

Put in to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 91 in 18.4 overs. Having lost three wickets for just one run and four within the powerplay, there was no staging a comeback for the visitors. By the time they picked their lone wicket in the match, the Black Caps scoring at a run rate in vicinity of 10 had all but won them the match. They eventually sealed the run-chase on the first delivery after the halfway mark.

3. 55 Balls (vs Australia in Harare)

During Zimbabwe Tri-Nation Series 2018, a Pakistani squad comprising several first-choice players was handed the drubbing by Australia at the Harare Sports Club.

Asked to bat first by Aaron Finch, Pakistan had lost half the side before the 10th over. The remaining half was dismissed before the 20th over. With Australia needing 117 runs to win the match, Finch led from the front to smash 68* (33) at a strike rate of 206.06 to register a victory within 10.5 overs.

4. 52 Balls (vs Australia in Hobart)

Just like they’ve finished the ongoing series in New Zealand, Pakistan had finished a T20I series in Australia in a similar manner four months ago. The only difference, however, was that Agha had opted to bat first at the Bellerive Oval.

The Aussies bundled out Pakistan for 117 in 18.1 overs in spite of conceding around 10 per over at the cost of one wicket in the powerplay. In the second innings, Marcus Stoinis’ whirlwind 61* (27) comprising five fours and as many sixes had powered Australia to chase down a 118-run target in 11.2 overs.

5. 51 Balls (vs South Africa in Johannesburg)

In what was only their second T20I, Pakistan had scored 129/8 in 20 overs after being put in to bat first at the New Wanderers Stadium. In spite of a potent bowling attack, Pakistan failed to pick a single wicket as Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman shared a match-winning 69-ball 132-run opening partnership to secure a victory in the 12th over.