Auckland, March 23, 2025: New Zealand outclassed Pakistan by 115 runs in the fourth T20I at Bay Oval, sealing the five-match series 3-1 with a game to spare. Chasing a daunting target of 221, Pakistan crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for just 105 in 16.2 overs, suffering their heaviest T20I defeat. The loss surpassed their previous worst—a 95-run drubbing against New Zealand in 2016.
Pakistan’s innings fell apart from the very start. Mohammad Haris departed for just two runs in the first over, dismissed by Will O’Rourke. Jacob Duffy struck twice in the second over, removing Hasan Nawaz and captain Salman Ali Agha, both managing only a single run each. Pakistan were left struggling at 9-3 inside two overs. Their troubles deepened when vice-captain Shadab Khan fell for one, followed by Khushdil Shah for six, leaving the team in complete disarray. Irfan Khan Niazi provided brief resistance with a 24-run knock off 16 balls, but Duffy dismissed him as well, reducing Pakistan to 42-5. The collapse continued as Abbas Afridi and Shaheen Shah Afridi fell cheaply, while Zakary Foulkes picked up his third wicket. By the 10th over, Pakistan had slumped to 56-8.
Abdul Samad was the lone fighter for the visitors, scoring 44 off 30 balls, ensuring Pakistan avoided their lowest-ever T20I total. However, his dismissal in the 16th over sealed Pakistan’s fate. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, finishing with figures of 4-20, while Foulkes and Ish Sodhi contributed to the demolition.
Earlier, after opting to bat, New Zealand’s openers provided a blistering start. Finn Allen smashed a 19-ball half-century before being dismissed for 50 off 20 balls, having set the tone for a massive total. His opening partner, Tim Seifert, contributed a quickfire 44 off 22 before falling to Haris Rauf. Mark Chapman added 24 before Rauf struck again, reducing New Zealand to 108-2 in 8.1 overs. A mini-collapse followed, but Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 46 off 26 balls and Mitchell Santner’s 29 guided the Black Caps to an imposing 220-6. Haris Rauf was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, taking 3-27, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain New Zealand’s relentless batting.
With this comprehensive victory, New Zealand have secured the series with one match still to play in Wellington on Wednesday. Pakistan, left searching for answers after another batting collapse, will need a drastic turnaround to salvage some pride in the final game.
