Amir grabs 2-13 in comeback international as Pakistan thrashes NZ in 2nd T20

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Mohammad Amir got a wicket off his second ball in his first international in four years as Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for 90 runs and easily won their Twenty20 on Saturday.

Amir came out of retirement for the T20 World Cup in June and took 2-13. Fellow fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-13) and Naseem Shah (1-27) helped to sink depleted New Zealand for its second lowest T20 total against Pakistan.

Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan to 92-3 in 12.1 overs with an unbeaten 45 off 34 balls.

Pakistan leads the five-match series 1-0 after two games. The first was a washout.

“It’s crucial to set the tone in the first six overs in Rawalpindi,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said. “The way Naseem, Shaheen and Amir bowled, it was outstanding. We try to play according to the conditions and execute our plans accordingly. We want to do well in all departments and work on it on a daily basis.”

Ben Lister made a spectacular two-handed diving catch off his follow through to dismiss Saim Ayub on 4 off the second ball of Pakistan's chase. Babar struck three boundaries in his 14 before New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell got him stumped off a quicker delivery inside the batting power play.

Usman Khan, who was banned by the Emirates Cricket Board for five years for switching his allegiance to his country of birth, got a big inside edge and was bowled by Ish Sodhi for 7 at 56-3. But Rizwan and Irfan Khan, 18 not out, guided Pakistan home to win by seven wickets.

In the absence of nine frontline players at the Indian Premier League, New Zealand struggled to cope with Pakistan's experienced bowling attack.

Mark Chapman top-scored with 19 as New Zealand was all out in 18.1 overs.

Amir took the pace off off his second delivery to Tim Robinson, who got the toe end of the bat and was caught at short cover in the second over.

New Zealand slipped to 35-3 inside the power play.

Leg-spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan finished with identical figures of 2-15 as they strangled the middle order with some sharp deliveries.

Afridi wrapped up the innings with his searing yorkers just after New Zealand passed its previous lowest T20 total of 80 against Pakistan in 2010 at Christchurch.

“We didn’t score quite enough runs,” Bracewell said. “We were a little bit slow to adapt to the surface and put ourselves under pressure in the end. We got a game tomorrow and we need to learn quickly. We pride ourselves in fighting right till the end (and) we did that with the ball and in the field.”

Rawalpindi will host the third game on Sunday, and the series moves to Lahore for the remaining games on April 25 and 27.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Ben Lester, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan's Saim Ayub during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Babar Azam plays a shot during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Babar Azam, left, reacts after he stump out by New Zealand's Tim Seifert, right, during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

New Zealand's Ben Lester, bottom, reacts after taking the catch of Pakistan's Saim Ayub during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell walks off the field after losing his wicket during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir, third left, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson, second right, during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

New Zealand's James Neesham reacts after his dismissal during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir, second right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Dean Foxcroft during the second T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Paolo Banchero's first taste of the NBA playoffs ended bitterly.

The Orlando Magic couldn't finish what they started.

After opening an 18-point lead in the first half, the Magic caved under pressure as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for a 106-94 win in Game 7 on Sunday to end a back-and-forth series in which home court meant everything.

Banchero scored 38 points — his third game with at least 30 in the series — but it wasn't enough as the Magic couldn't stop Donovan Mitchell when they needed to and had their season end in disappointment.

It was quite an experience for the sensational 21-year-old Banchero, who said Game 7 was more than he imagined.

“It was a hell of an environment and probably the most intense game I’ve ever played in my life,” said the 2022 No. 1 overall pick. "Every possession, the toll it takes on your body and your mind is immense.”

As the Cavs chipped away at Orlando's lead in the second half, Banchero said the Cleveland crowd was so loud that it was difficult for the Magic to call out offensive plays. He couldn't hear the instructions he and his teammates were getting from coach Jamahl Mosley and his staff.

Still, the Magic were only down seven points going into the fourth before Mitchell, who finished with 39 and scored 89 combined in Games 6 and 7, put Orlando away.

It was a painful way for Orlando's breakout season to end. The Magic won just 34 games a year ago and there weren't many who predicted they would be a No. 5 seed heading into the playoffs.

Although the end was tough to swallow, one of the league's youngest teams gained invaluable experience.

“I walked in the locker room and said this sucks,” Mosley said. "To be up 18 and have a chance to close it out, it doesn’t feel good. But sometimes painful losses are blessings in disguise. I know it sucks right now, but I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Mosley was adamant that his team didn't lose its cool or fold.

“I don’t think there was a loss of composure,” he said. "They went on a heck of a run and we got stagnant a little bit. There was no whining, no moaning, no yelling. Our guys were focused on how to get the next shot.”

While Banchero did his part, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs shot a combined 3 for 28. Suggs, who sustained what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in the opener, was just 2 of 10 on 3-pointers.

“We got good looks and they just didn’t fall,” Suggs said. "I think we could live with that because we gave all we could. I’m sorry we couldn’t pull this one out.”

Wagner, who made bit shots and got under the Cavs' skin throughout the series, was tough on himself.

“I expect a lot more from myself," he said. "It sucks to end the season like this. I feel like I let my team down a little bit.”

Banchero had Wagner's back and the rest of his teammates.

“This game doesn’t define him and it doesn’t define us,” he said. "He didn’t let anybody down. Sometimes, this happens. I’ve been in the same situation. I know we’ll be back.”

This was all new for Orlando, which will have its entire core back next season and is expected to be active in free agency.

Next year will bring higher expectations, but the Magic should be ready for them.

“We won’t be lacking this experience next season in the playoffs,” said center Jonathan Isaac. "We’ll have this on our resume and have a chip on our shoulder to get back.”

Banchero showed why he's one of the league's rising stars, a player just beginning to scratch his potential. He averaged 27.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in his first playoff series, and in Game 7 tied a team record with 15 free throws.

“Special,” Mosley said of his young star. "He wanted every ounce of what they were throwing at him. There is a reason why he’s an All-Star and is going to be All-NBA. He’s going to show up in big games.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchel (45) watch the ball in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley gestures in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, grabs a rebound and is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris, left, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, center, falls between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, left, and teammate Markelle Fultz (20) after committing an offensive foul on Isaac Okoro in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley and forward Isaac Okoro, right, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro, right, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, center, drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, left, ad Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)