Wellington, March 26, 2025: New Zealand delivered a commanding performance in the final T20I of the five-match series, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan at Sky Stadium on Wednesday. The home side comfortably chased down Pakistan’s modest target of 128, achieving victory with 60 balls to spare and losing only two wickets.
A blazing opening stand between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set the tone for the chase. The duo added 93 runs in quick time before Allen was dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem in the seventh over after scoring 27 off 12 deliveries, which included five fours and a six.
Muqeem momentarily disrupted New Zealand’s momentum by stumping in-form Mark Chapman in his next over. However, Seifert remained unstoppable, smashing an unbeaten 87 off just 38 balls, decorated with six fours and 10 sixes. He was accompanied by Daryl Mitchell (two not out) in an effortless 28-run stand that sealed New Zealand’s victory.
Pakistan’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Sufiyan Muqeem, who claimed both wickets for just six runs in his two-over spell.
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell’s decision to bowl first proved effective, as Pakistan once again faltered with the bat despite Salman Ali Agha’s fighting half-century.
The visitors endured a disastrous start, losing hard-hitting opener Hasan Nawaz for a duck in the second over with just five runs on the board. Mohammad Haris and Omair Bin Yousuf briefly steadied the innings with an 18-run partnership before both fell in quick succession. Haris managed 11 off 17 balls with two boundaries, while Yousuf contributed just seven.
The collapse continued as Usman Khan (seven) and Abdul Samad (four) departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 52/5 in 10.2 overs. However, Agha and experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan provided some stability, adding a crucial 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Shadab’s promising innings ended at 28 off 20 balls when he was dismissed by James Neesham on the first delivery of the 17th over. Neesham struck again in the same over, removing Jahandad Khan and further deepening Pakistan’s woes at 108/7 in 16.4 overs.
Agha, who was the lone warrior for Pakistan, eventually fell in the penultimate over after top-scoring with 51 off 39 deliveries, including six fours and a six.
James Neesham emerged as the standout bowler for New Zealand, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup with figures of 5/22 in four overs. Jacob Duffy supported him with two wickets, while Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears claimed one scalp each.
With this convincing win, New Zealand sealed a 4-1 series triumph, exposing Pakistan’s vulnerabilities ahead of their upcoming international assignments.
