New Zealand secured their second straight win in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan, comfortably chasing a target of 136 in a rain-affected match at Dunedin’s University Oval. Pakistan, batting first, managed 135-9 in their allotted 15 overs after rain delayed the game. Despite efforts from captain Salman Agha and Shaheen Afridi, the total proved too low for New Zealand’s strong batting lineup.
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, made early inroads by taking crucial wickets, but New Zealand’s aggressive approach kept them ahead of the required run rate. Tim Seifert (45 off 22) and Finn Allen (38 off 16) provided a solid start for the Kiwis, with the team reaching the target in just 13.1 overs.
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New Zealand’s chase wasn’t without hurdles, as wickets fell at regular intervals, with the scoreboard showing 66, 87, 91, 97, and 132. However, Mitchell Hay and Michael Bracewell held their nerve, finishing unbeaten and guiding their team to victory.
Pakistan struggled with the bat as well, with key players failing to make an impact. Only Salman Agha’s 46 and Shadab Khan’s 26 added some stability. In the end, Shaheen Afridi’s quickfire 22 wasn’t enough to boost the total to a defendable figure.
The next match in the series will be crucial for Pakistan, who will need to regroup after two consecutive losses to avoid handing New Zealand an unassailable lead.
