After securing a historic victory against New Zealand in the first T20I to open the series, Pakistan continued their winning streak in the second game in Dunedin.
Fatima Sana played a crucial role once again, claiming her second consecutive three-wicket haul to lead Pakistan to a series-clinching triumph. The 10-run win marked Pakistan's first T20I series victory away from home since October 2018 and their maiden T20I series triumph outside Asia and Ireland.
Sana, who had earlier taken 3 for 18 in the first T20I, followed up with impressive figures of 3 for 22 in the second match. Her victims included Suzie Bates (for the second time in the series), Sophie Devine, and Hannah Rowe—all three dismissed by clean bowled deliveries. Notably, Sana's dismissal of Rowe, who was batting at No. 7, sealed the victory as she departed for 33 off 24 balls with New Zealand needing 12 runs off three balls. The following batter, Molly Penfold, managed only a dot and a single off the last two deliveries, securing Pakistan's series win.
Rowe had come to the crease when New Zealand was struggling at 62 for 5 in the 13th over, requiring 76 runs off 45 balls to level the series. The equation was reduced to 50 off 23 when Georgia Plimmer fell in the 17th over for 28. Despite a late surge from Rowe and Lea Tahuhu, who managed to keep New Zealand in the game with a last-over requirement of 18 runs, Sana's stellar performance at the finish proved decisive.
In the batting department, Pakistan made a solid start with Muneeba Ali's 28-ball 35 at the top of the order. However, setbacks came when Molly Penfold dismissed Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 86 for 4 after 13 overs. Aliya Riaz played a crucial role in ensuring a competitive total, contributing an unbeaten cameo for the second consecutive match. Despite a lack of substantial support from other batters in the last seven overs, Riaz's 22-ball 32, featuring three fours and a six, set a target just beyond New Zealand's reach.
A change in Pakistan Women's Cricket Team in today's match. Naashra Sindhu is playing today's match in place of Umm Hani. Today's match is also the 50th T20I of Naashra Sindhu's career. Naashra Sindhu made her T20 International debut against New Zealand in November 2017.
