DUNEDIN: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the rain-affected second T20I at University Oval on Tuesday. The win gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing 136, New Zealand started strong. Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen built a 66-run partnership.
Seifert played aggressively, smashing 45 off 22 balls. Mohammad Ali dismissed him, claiming his maiden T20I wicket.
Allen continued the attack, adding 21 runs with Mark Chapman. Jahandad Khan dismissed Allen for 38 off 16 balls, reducing New Zealand to 87-2 in 6.5 overs.
Chapman fell cheaply for one, dismissed by Khushdil Shah. Haris Rauf then removed Jimmy Neesham for 14, leaving New Zealand at 97-4 in 8.3 overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Hay added 35 runs for the fifth wicket. Haris Rauf struck again, dismissing Mitchell for 14 at 132-5 in 12.5 overs.
Skipper Michael Bracewell and Hay finished the chase with 11 balls to spare. Hay remained unbeaten on 21.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf took two wickets, while Mohammad Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Jahandad Khan claimed one each.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Pakistan asked to bat first, and managed 135 runs. Skipper Agha Salman, vice-captain Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Afridi made key contributions.
The innings started poorly. Hasan Nawaz fell for a second consecutive duck, dismissed by Jacob Duffy in the first over.
Ben Sears removed Mohammad Haris for 11, leaving Pakistan at 19-2 in 3.1 overs.
Agha Salman and Irfan Khan tried to stabilize the innings with a 31-run stand.
Ish Sodhi struck in the seventh over, dismissing Irfan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2). Pakistan slipped to 52-4.
Agha fought back with a quick 46 off 28 balls.
Shadab Khan added 24 before falling to Sears. Salman’s dismissal hurt Pakistan further.
Shadab, after a quick 26 off 14, fell to Duffy.
Jahandad Khan departed for a duck, while Abdul Samad contributed 11 before Neesham dismissed him.
Shaheen Afridi’s late 22 helped Pakistan reach 135.
For New Zealand, Duffy, Sears, Sodhi, and Neesham took two wickets each.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (w), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (w), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.
