AUCKLAND: Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman’s sublime knock helped Pakistan register their first win on the tour of New Zealand as Sarfraz Ahmed’s men beat the hosts in the second T20I by 48 runs to level the three-match series 1-1 in Auckland on Friday.
After opting to bat first, Zaman, with his new opening partner Ahmad Shahzad posted 94 runs for the first wicket to set things up nicely for the visitors.
Both openers then departed in the space of three deliveries, however Pakistan captain Sarfraz joined young Babar Azam and put together a 91-runs partnership for the third wicket to help the Men in Green score 201-4 in 20 overs.
Zaman scored his maiden half-century in the 20-over format and finished the innings with joint top score of 50 off 28 including five fours and three sixes.
Young Babar, who had a horrid ODI series, also scored 50 not out off 29 balls with the help of five fours and one maximum.
For New Zealand, all-rounder Ben Wheeler was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets.
In reply, New Zealand looked like a shadow of the side which had been dominating the ODI and T20I series till now, courtesy sublime bowling performances from all Pakistani bowlers, who chipped in with wickets at regular intervals.
The Black Caps were eventually bowled out for 153 in the 19th over. Mitchell Santner finished the innings with the top score of 37 off 28, while Wheeler scored 30 off 20 balls.
For Pakistan, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf claimed three scalps, whereas pacer Mohammad Amir and leg-spinner Shadab Khan claimed two wickets each.
For his outstanding batting performance, Zaman was named player of the match.
