New Zealand’s openers unleashed a stunning six-hitting display on Tuesday to crush Pakistan by five wickets and tighten their grip on the ongoing T20 series. The hosts chased down the 136-run target with 11 balls remaining in Dunedin, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.
Pakistan had earlier posted 135 for 9 in 15 overs. The second match was shortened due to rain, but New Zealand didn’t let the conditions slow them down.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set the tone with a brutal opening stand. Out of the first eight scoring shots, seven were towering sixes. It was a fiery start that left the visitors stunned.
Interestingly, Seifert faced a maiden over from Shaheen Shah Afridi to begin the innings. But things changed quickly in the second over. Allen hammered three sixes off Mohammad Ali, clearing the small University Oval boundary with ease.
Seifert then turned up the heat. He smashed 26 runs in Afridi’s next over, hitting four mighty sixes. The wicketkeeper-batter was in lethal form, following up his 44-run knock in the opening match with another explosive 45 off 22 balls.
Allen didn’t lag behind either. He blasted 38 runs from just 16 balls. Both openers hit five sixes each, turning the chase into a cakewalk.
However, there was a brief hiccup. New Zealand lost four wickets in just four overs midway through the innings. But Mitch Hay held his nerve and finished the job. He stayed unbeaten on 21 and ensured New Zealand stayed ahead in the T20 series.
Earlier, Pakistan struggled after being put in to bat. Opener Hasan Nawaz got out for a duck for the second consecutive time in the T20 series. The team slumped to 19 for 2 in the fourth over.
Captain Salman Agha stepped up and led the recovery. He scored a quick 46 off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. His aggressive approach gave Pakistan some hope.
Shadab Khan played a brisk cameo in the middle order, scoring 26 off 14 deliveries. Shaheen Shah Afridi remained unbeaten on 22 from 14 balls, adding some late runs.
New Zealand’s bowling attack did well again in this T20 series. Four bowlers picked up two wickets each. Seamer Ben Sears and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham were among the standout performers. Both were recalled for this match, replacing Tim Robinson and Kyle Jamieson.
Now, New Zealand have a golden chance to seal the T20 series. If they win the third match in Auckland on Friday, the trophy will be theirs.
