Why Pakistan’s Bowlers Stole the Show at Eden Park in 2025

Balakrishna
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Balakrishna
Senior Cricket Analyst & Writer
Balakrishna is a renowned cricket analyst and journalist at Buzz24Times, bringing over six years of expertise in cricket journalism. With a deep passion for the game,...
- Senior Cricket Analyst & Writer
7 Min Read

Eden Park T20I bowling stats 2025: Pakistan stunned New Zealand with a 9-wicket win in the 3rd T20I on March 21, 2025, at Eden Park, Auckland. Everyone talks about Hasan Nawaz’s blazing 105 not out. But the real story? Pakistan’s bowlers held New Zealand to 204 on a pitch made for big scores. They set up the chase. This article dives into how their effort turned the game—and the series—around.

Eden Park T20I bowling stats 2025

How Pakistan’s Bowlers Tamed New Zealand’s Batsmen

Pakistan chose to bowl first again. This time, it worked. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the first over, dismissing Finn Allen for zero. Allen had smashed 38 off 16 in the last game. His early exit threw New Zealand off. Haris Rauf kept the pressure on, taking out Tim Seifert for 19 in the fifth over. New Zealand stumbled to 43 for 2. Mark Chapman fought back with 94 off 44 balls. But the bowlers never let him run away with it. Rauf grabbed 3 wickets, including Chapman’s, while Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed cleaned up the tail. They bowled New Zealand out in 19.5 overs. On a ground like Eden Park—small boundaries, dew in play—that’s a win by itself.

Nawaz scored Pakistan's quickest T20I century

Eden Park T20I Bowling Stats 2025: Key Performances

Here’s a look at the bowling numbers from the 3rd T20I at Eden Park in 2025. These stats show who made the difference.

BowlerOversRunsWicketsEconomyKey MomentSource
Shaheen Shah Afridi43629.00Dismissed Finn Allen (0)ESPNcricinfo
Haris Rauf42937.25Took out Chapman (94)NDTV Sports
Abbas Afridi2.52428.57Finished NZ inningsHindustan Times
Abrar Ahmed343214.33Double strike in 15th overESPNcricinfo
Usama Mir341013.66Kept pressure in middle oversNDTV Sports
Kyle Jamieson (NZ)340113.33Struggled against NawazHindustan Times
Jacob Duffy (NZ)337112.33Hit hard in death oversESPNcricinfo
Michael Bracewell (NZ)230015.00Most expensive NZ bowlerNDTV Sports
James Neesham (NZ)1909.00Only tight NZ spellHindustan Times
Zakary Foulkes (NZ)334011.33No wickets, high economyESPNcricinfo

What Made Eden Park a Bowler’s Challenge?

Eden Park is tough for bowlers. Short boundaries—around 45 meters square—invite big hits. Dew in the evening makes the ball slippery. New Zealand’s Chapman used this, smashing 8 fours and 6 sixes. Pakistan’s bowlers faced the same conditions later. Yet, they held New Zealand to 204. New Zealand’s attack? They gave up 205 in 16 overs. Pakistan’s discipline stood out. Abbas Afridi bowled just 2.5 overs but took 2 key wickets. Rauf’s slower ball to dismiss Chapman showed smart thinking. These moves kept the total chaseable.

Eden Park T20I Bowling Comparison: Pakistan vs. New Zealand

This table compares the two teams’ bowling efforts. It highlights Pakistan’s edge.

TeamTotal Runs ConcededWickets TakenOvers BowledEconomy Rate (Team)Best BowlerSource
Pakistan2041019.510.38Haris Rauf (3/29)ESPNcricinfo
New Zealand20511612.81Kyle Jamieson (1/40)NDTV Sports

Pakistan took all 10 wickets. New Zealand managed one. That gap tells the story.

Did the Captain Make the Difference?

Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan in this game. His calls worked. He stuck with Shaheen up top despite earlier struggles. He trusted Rauf in the middle overs. Abrar’s double strike came at his direction. Agha said after the match, “Restricting them to 200 was a great effort.” He knew Eden Park favors 220-plus scores. His bowlers delivered. New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell admitted they were “20 runs short.” Agha’s plan outshone his counterpart.

Why Pakistan’s Win Matters for the Series

Pakistan lost the first two T20Is. New Zealand chased 92 in 10.1 overs in Christchurch. They chased 135 in 13.1 overs in Dunedin. The bowlers leaked runs then. March 21 changed that. Holding New Zealand to 204—and bowling them out—shifted the series. It’s 2-1 now. The 4th T20I on March 23, 2025, at Mount Maunganui looms large. Can the bowlers repeat this? They’ve shown they can.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s bowlers turned the 3rd T20I at Eden Park in 2025. Shaheen Afridi struck early. Haris Rauf owned the middle. Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed finished strong. They kept New Zealand to 204 when 220 looked likely. That set up Hasan Nawaz’s big chase. New Zealand’s bowlers crumbled under the same conditions. The stats back it up—10 wickets to 1. Salman Ali Agha’s leadership sealed it. This win keeps Pakistan alive in the series. The bowlers deserve the praise.

Who was Pakistan’s best bowler in the 3rd T20I at Eden Park in 2025?

Haris Rauf led the way with 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. His dismissal of Mark Chapman swung the game.

How did Eden Park’s conditions affect the bowling in 2025?

Short boundaries and dew made it hard to grip the ball. Pakistan still took 10 wickets. New Zealand took just 1.

Why did Pakistan’s bowling improve in the 3rd T20I?

Early wickets from Shaheen and smart captaincy by Salman Ali Agha turned it around after two weak games.

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Balakrishna is a renowned cricket analyst and journalist at Buzz24Times, bringing over six years of expertise in cricket journalism. With a deep passion for the game, he provides insightful analysis, compelling narratives, and the latest updates that captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His journey began with a love for the sport, evolving into a commitment to delivering accurate, engaging, and thought-provoking content. His work has amassed over 28 million reads, resonating with fans from casual followers to die-hard cricket aficionados.
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