A dominant New Zealand side cruised to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in a rain-shortened second T20I at the University Oval on Tuesday, extending their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series.
The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to persistent rain, but that did little to deter the hosts as they comfortably chased down Pakistan’s 136-run target with 11 balls to spare.
Pakistan, opting to bat first, struggled early after Jacob Duffy dismissed Hasan Nawaz for a second consecutive duck in the opening over. Mohammad Haris (11) followed soon after, falling to Ben Sears as the visitors slumped to 19-2 in 3.1 overs.
Captain Agha Salman (46 off 28) and young Irfan Khan (11) attempted to stabilise the innings with a 31-run stand, but leg-spinner Ish Sodhi removed both Irfan and Khushdil Shah (2) in quick succession, leaving Pakistan reeling at 52-4.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan contributed a brisk 26 off 14 before being dismissed by Duffy, while late efforts from Shaheen Afridi (22) and Abdul Samad (11) helped Pakistan post 135.
New Zealand’s bowling attack shared the spoils, with Duffy, Sears, Sodhi, and Neesham all claiming two wickets apiece.
In response, the Black Caps got off to a blistering start, courtesy of an explosive 66-run opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. Seifert was the aggressor, smashing 45 off 22 balls before becoming Mohammad Ali’s maiden T20I victim.
Allen (38 off 16) continued the assault but fell to Jahandad Khan as Pakistan tried to claw their way back into the contest. Khushdil Shah removed Mark Chapman cheaply, while Haris Rauf accounted for Jimmy Neesham (14) and Daryl Mitchell (14).
However, the hosts remained in control, with Mitchell Hay (21 not out) and skipper Michael Bracewell steering them home with ease.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batters, with Rauf finishing as the pick of the lot with two wickets. Mohammad Ali, Khushdil, and Jahandad chipped in with one wicket each.
With the series slipping away, Pakistan will now look to bounce back in the third T20I, scheduled for January 17 in Dunedin.
Teams:
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (w), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (w), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.
