The Pakistan cricket team leveled the five-match T20I series at 2-2 after registering a nine-run win over New Zealand in a towering fifth T20I match played under the dazzling lights of a packed Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night.
Set a challenging target of 179, Pakistan produced a bowling masterclass to restrict New Zealand to 169 in a total of 19.2 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi emerged as the man of the match with his excellent bowling figures of 4-30. Babar Azam’s stellar 44-ball 69 and Fakhar Zaman’s quickfire 43 off 33 also played a key role in the green shirts’ impressive victory.
Chasing a target of 179 runs, the third consecutive target set twice by Pakistan (3rd and 5th T20I), once by New Zealand (4th T20I), New Zealand’s innings began on a rocky note as Shaheen Afridi removed Tom Blundell for just four runs. in the opening above. But Tim Seifert’s valiant 33-ball 52, studded with seven fours and two sixes, seemed to steady the innings until Pakistan’s bowlers regained control.
Usama Mir’s twin strikes and Afridi’s disciplined bowling disrupted the middle order and turned the momentum squarely in Pakistan’s favour. Josh Clarkson’s unbeaten 38 provided some late-game hope, but his efforts were not enough to overcome a disciplined Pakistan attack led by Afridi, who finished with impressive figures of 4-30. Usama Mir admirably supported with 2-21 and the rest of Pakistan’s bowlers kept the pressure on and contributed crucial wickets at critical moments.
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan set a competitive target of 178-5 anchored by a sublime 69 off 44 deliveries from captain Babar Azam. His innings, which included six fours and two sixes, was crucial in establishing a solid foundation for Pakistan. Usman Khan and Fakhar Zaman also made valuable contributions of 31 and 43 runs respectively.
New Zealand’s bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s batsmen, despite a tight spell from James Neesham, who finished with 1-13. But other Kiwi players have struggled to maintain consistency, with Ben Sears and Zakary Foulkes particularly expensive on their outings.
The match reached its climax as New Zealand required 10 runs from the last over with two wickets in hand. However, Shaheen Afridi produced a stunning finish, taking two wickets to seal victory for Pakistan. The win helped Pakistan level the five-match series 2-2 when the first T20I was rained out at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
SCORE IN BRIEF
PAKISTAN 178/5 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 69, Fakhar Zaman 43, Usman Khan 31; James Neesham 1-13, William O’Rourke 1-25) beat NEW ZEALAND 169 all out in 19.2 overs (Tim Seifert 52, Josh Clarkson 38*, Michael Bracewell 23; Shaheen Afridi 4-30, Usama Mir 2-21) by 9 runs.
