Salman Ali Agha calls for further improvements after Pakistan's Dunedin loss

New Zealand v Pakistan, 2nd T20I, Scorecard

Pakistani batters have struggled so far in New Zealand, with the team posting only 91 and 135 in their two outings, finding it difficult to adapt to the extra bounce in Christchurch and Dunedin. Speaking after the game, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha acknowledged that there was room for further improvement.

“I think we've batted a bit better within this game [as compared to Christchurch]," Agha said. "But it would still need to be a better finish as well, fielding was outstanding, and bowling in patches was good, but we need to be a bit more consistent.

"We need to understand that the bounce is different [from what we play at home]. When we adjust that bounce, I think we will be a better team.”

Despite occasions of excellence, Agha accepted that Pakistan’s poor powerplay, where they conceded 66 runs in just five overs, cost them the game.

“After the Powerplay we bowled well. I think spinners bowled well, and then Haris came, and he bowled really well. I think we bowled well in patches, and at the same time, we didn't bowl well in the Powerplay.

"We need to be a bit better in Powerplay and we need to be a bit more consistent.”

WATCH: Salman Agha in action against New Zealand at Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan face an uphill battle as they trail 0-2 in the five-match series. Agha remained hopeful that his team will make amends in the coming matches.

“I think as a batting unit, we need to have a better Powerplay and just come to bowling, we need to have a better Powerplay as well, so probably something we need to improve.”

Pakistan and New Zealand will next face off on Friday, 21 March in Auckland for the third T20I of the series.