New Zealand thrashed Pakistan, with Tim Seifert’s remarkable 97 not out off just 38 balls guiding the team to a commanding eight-wicket victory in the fifth T20I in Wellington. Chasing a target of 129, New Zealand comfortably reached 131/2 in just 10 overs.
Seifert played a brilliant inning, hitting six fours and ten sixes at a strike rate of 255.26. He was supported by Finn Allen, who scored 27 off 12 balls, as New Zealand completed the chase with 60 balls to spare. Sufiyan Muqeem managed to take two wickets, dismissing Allen and Mark Chapman, but Pakistan had no chance of making a comeback against New Zealand’s aggressive batting approach.
With this win, New Zealand secured the T20I series 4-1.
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An Early Collapse
Earlier, Pakistan struggled with the bat, managing only 128/9 in their 20 overs. Skipper Salman Agha was the top scorer, playing a fighting knock of 51 off 39 balls. However, Pakistan’s batting lineup failed to support him.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan suffered an early collapse. Hasan Nawaz got out for a duck, while Mohammad Haris (11) and Omair Yousuf (7) followed soon, leaving Pakistan at 25/3. Usman Khan (7) and Abdul Samad (4) also failed to contribute, causing further trouble.
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Shadab Khan tried to build momentum with a 20-ball 28, hitting five boundaries, but Pakistan could not accelerate. Agha, who struck six fours and a six, was dismissed in the 19th over.
New Zealand’s bowlers dominated the game, with James Neesham leading the attack, taking 5/22 in four overs. Jacob Duffy (2/18), Ish Sodhi (1/32), and Ben Sears (1/25) also played key roles in restricting Pakistan to a modest total. With a required rate of just 6.45, New Zealand was confident about chasing 129.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. In a surprising move, Shaheen Shah Afridi was dropped from the playing XI after his struggles in the series.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqim, Mohammad Ali
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke
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