New Zealand beat Pakistan in the last match of the five-match series with 10 overs to spare. It was a special show from Tim Seifert, who finished with 97 runs not out and hit the ball all around the park to register an 8-wicket win in the final T20I against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Earlier James Neesham’s five-wicket haul destroyed the Pakistan’s lineup after putting them into bat.
Chasing 129, New Zealand cruised to victory with 60 balls to spare. Openers Seifert and Finn Allen gave the hosts a flying start, adding 93 runs in quick time. Allen smashed 27 off 12 before Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed him in the seventh over. Muqeem struck again in his next over, stumping Mark Chapman.
Seifert, however, continued his brutal hitting. He remained unbeaten on 87 off 38 balls, slamming six fours and 10 sixes. Daryl Mitchell stayed not out on two as New Zealand easily crossed the finish line. Muqeem was Pakistan’s only wicket-taker, taking 2-6 in two overs.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell put Pakistan in to bat, and his bowlers made full use of the conditions. Pakistan struggled from the start, losing Hasan Nawaz for a duck in the second over. Omair Bin Yousuf and Mohammad Haris briefly steadied the innings, but both fell in quick succession.
Haris scored 11 off 17, while Yousuf managed just seven. Pakistan’s middle order collapsed as Usman Khan (7) and Abdul Samad (4) also departed cheaply. At 52/5 in 10.2 overs, the visitors were in deep trouble.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan led a brief recovery, adding 54 runs for the sixth wicket. Shadab hit 28 off 20 before Neesham dismissed him in the 17th over. Neesham struck again in the same over, removing Jahandad Khan.
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