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The Pakistan cricket team is going through a rough patch, following a dismal performance in the Champions Trophy. With hopes of a fresh start in New Zealand, the team faced yet another setback in the ongoing 5-match T20I series. After a crushing 9-wicket loss in the first match on 16 March 2025, Pakistan suffered another defeat in the second match, played at the University Oval in Dunedin.
In this match, Pakistan posted a modest total of 135/9 in 15 overs, which New Zealand comfortably chased down, reaching 136 runs with the loss of just 5 wickets in 13.1 overs. With this win, New Zealand took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Shaheen Afridi's Record-Breaking Over
One of the most significant and unfortunate moments of the match came from Pakistan's star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi. Afridi, who started the match with a brilliant maiden over, was later hit for a record number of runs.
When New Zealand began their chase, Afridi opened the bowling for Pakistan. His first over was flawless, as he conceded no runs, but the momentum quickly shifted. In the third over, with Tim Seifert on strike, Afridi was welcomed with a barrage of sixes. Seifert hit Afridi for two consecutive sixes, followed by a dot ball, and then another two sixes in the remaining balls of the over.
In total, Afridi conceded 26 runs in this over, including 4 sixes, setting a shameful record for his most expensive over in T20I cricket. This over greatly impacted the Pakistani bowling attack and put immense pressure on the team.
Shaheen Afridi’s T20I Expensive Over Record
The over against New Zealand in Dunedin now stands as Afridi's most costly in his T20I career, with the following record:
- 26 runs vs New Zealand, Dunedin (March 2025)
- 24 runs vs New Zealand, Auckland (2024)
- 24 runs vs Australia, Hobart (2024)
- 21 runs vs Ireland, Dublin (2024)
- 21 runs vs Australia, Dubai (2021)
The Bigger Picture: Pakistan's Struggles
Shaheen Afridi bowled a total of 3 overs in the match, conceding 31 runs without claiming a single wicket. The poor performance in the second T20I marks a continuing trend of struggle for the Pakistan cricket team, which has yet to regain its form since the Champions Trophy.
As the series progresses, the team will need to regroup and find ways to overcome these setbacks, with Afridi and the rest of the squad aiming to bounce back from this difficult phase.
