Pakistan vs New ZealandCricket HighlightsCricket NewsInternational CricketInternational MatchesMatch HighlightsNew Zealand Cricket NewsNew Zealand CricketersPakistan Cricket Newspakistan cricket playersSports HighlightsT20T20 Cricket NewsT20I क्रिकेट
Neesham, Seifert Power New Zealand to Dominant 4-1 Series Win Over Pakistan
New Zealand Crush Pakistan with Eight-Wicket Victory in Series Decider
New Zealand wrapped up the T20I series in dominant fashion, securing a resounding eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the final match at Wellington’s Sky Stadium. Tim Seifert’s blistering 97* off 38 balls and Jimmy Neesham’s sensational 5/22 ensured that the hosts completed a 4-1 series triumph.
Pakistan struggled to post a competitive total on a lively surface, managing just 128/9 in their allotted 20 overs. However, New Zealand chased it down with ease, reaching the target in just 10 overs, thanks to Seifert’s explosive batting display.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue on a Testing Pitch
A Nightmare Start for Pakistan
Electing to bowl first, New Zealand capitalized on the favorable conditions under lights. The new-ball duo of Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears made full use of the seam-friendly wicket, putting Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup under immense pressure.
Duffy struck twice in the powerplay, removing both openers, while Sears added another scalp, reducing Pakistan to 27/3 in six overs. The excessive seam movement and variable bounce made run-scoring a daunting task for the visitors.
Agha Salman Leads Brief Resistance
Pakistan found a glimmer of hope through skipper Agha Salman, who played a gritty knock of 51 off 39 balls. He stitched together a crucial 54-run stand with Shadab Khan (28 off 20), reviving Pakistan’s innings momentarily. However, just when the visitors seemed to gain some momentum, Neesham struck, dismissing Shadab with a well-disguised slower ball.
From there, the innings unraveled quickly, with Neesham running through the lower order. Pakistan fell well short of a competitive total, finishing at a meager 128/9.
Tim Seifert’s Power-Hitting Seals the Game in Just 10 Overs
New Zealand’s Record-Breaking Powerplay
New Zealand’s chase was nothing short of a demolition job, spearheaded by Tim Seifert’s breathtaking knock. He unleashed an all-out assault on Pakistan’s bowling attack, smashing 97* off just 38 balls, including 10 sixes.
Finn Allen (27 off 12) played the supporting role in a dominant 93-run opening stand, as the hosts raced to 92/0 in the first six overs—New Zealand’s highest-ever powerplay total in T20Is and the highest recorded in any T20I played in New Zealand.
Seifert’s Explosive Finish
Despite losing Allen and Mark Chapman (dismissed by Sufyan Muqeem), New Zealand had already sealed the game. Seifert, eager to finish things quickly, hammered 26 runs off the 10th over bowled by Shadab Khan. He capped off the match in style, smashing three consecutive sixes to bring up New Zealand’s emphatic eight-wicket win with 10 overs to spare.
New Zealand Seal Commanding 4-1 Series Victory
With this dominant victory, New Zealand concluded the series 4-1, proving their superiority over Pakistan. The only blip in their campaign came in the second T20I, where Hasan Nawaz’s brilliance earned Pakistan a consolation win. Apart from that, the hosts remained largely unchallenged.
What’s Next?
New Zealand’s stellar form in this series sets them up strongly for their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to reassess their strategies and batting approach to bounce back in future contests.
Brief Scores
Pakistan – 128/9 in 20 overs (Agha Salman 51; Jimmy Neesham 5/22)
New Zealand – 131/2 in 10 overs (Tim Seifert 97*; Sufyan Muqeem 2/6)
Result – New Zealand won by eight wickets.
Internal & External Links:
🔹 Read more on New Zealand Cricket News
🔹 Full match report on ICC’s official website
