Venue: Hagley Oval
Result: New Zealand secured victory with 7 wickets and 11 balls to spare.
Before the last clash of the thrilling Pakistan vs New Zealand 5 T20 series took place at Hagley Oval, it was a roller-coaster ride for cricket enthusiasts. Having already secured an unassailable lead in the series, New Zealand chose to bowl first after winning the toss, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
Pakistan’s Batting Display
Saim Ayub got things underway but fell early, managing just 1 run. The real fireworks began when Mohammad Rizwan took center stage, scoring 90 runs from 63 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman made valuable contributions. Still, it was Mohammad Nawaz who provided the late flourish with a quickfire 21 runs off 9 balls, steering Pakistan to a competitive total of 158/5 in 20 overs.
New Zealand’s Bowling Efforts
New Zealand’s bowlers put in a disciplined effort, with Matt Henry being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 crucial wickets for 22 runs. Lockie Ferguson also impacted by taking 2 wickets for 27 runs. Despite resistance, New Zealand restricted Pakistan to a challenging yet gettable total.
New Zealand’s Chase
Chasing a target of 159 runs, New Zealand faced early hiccups with quick dismissals of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert by the fiery Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, Daryl Mitchell emerged as the hero for New Zealand, playing a brilliant innings of 72 runs off 44 balls, well-supported by Glenn Phillips who contributed a solid 70 runs from 52 balls. The duo’s partnership ensured New Zealand reached the target comfortably, winning the match by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s Bowling
Despite the loss, *Shaheen Shah Afridi* showcased his bowling prowess, taking 3 crucial wickets for 34 runs. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to make significant breakthroughs, allowing New Zealand to dominate in the middle overs.
Player of the Match and Series Situation
Daryl Mitchell got the Player of the Match award for scoring 72 runs and helping his team win. With this victory, New Zealand secured a 4-0 lead in the 5-match series, making the last T20 a crucial one for pride and redemption for Pakistan.
Standout Performances
- Daryl Mitchell 72(44)
- Glenn Phillips 70(52)
- Matt Henry 2-22
- Mitchell Santner 0-23
- Mohammad Rizwan 90(63)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-34
New Zealand’s dominance in the T20 series against Pakistan continued with another comprehensive win. As the series stands at 4-0, the final match holds significance for Pakistan to salvage pride and avoid a whitewash. Fans can expect an exciting finale as both teams gear up for the last showdown in this thrilling T20 series.
