New Zealand extended their lead in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan with a commanding performance in Dunedin, clinching a 2-0 advantage after a rain-shortened contest. The hosts capitalized on a dominant powerplay display with both bat and ball, making light work of Pakistan’s total of 135 in the 15-over game.
Bowlers Set the Tone for New Zealand
After winning the toss and electing to field, New Zealand’s bowlers made early inroads. Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, and Ish Sodhi were instrumental in dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup. Duffy struck in the first over, dismissing Hasan Nawaz, while Sears removed the dangerous Mohammad Haris for 11.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha led the resistance with an aggressive 46 off 28 balls, but Sodhi’s introduction further stifled the visitors. Irfan Khan fell to a leading edge off Sodhi, and Khushdil Shah was trapped lbw two balls later. Agha’s dismissal in the 10th over at the hands of Sears halted Pakistan’s momentum.
Despite late cameos from Shadab Khan (26 off 14 balls) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (22 off 14 balls), Pakistan could only manage 135/9 in 15 overs. James Neesham, returning to T20I action after nine months, contributed with figures of 2/26.
New Zealand’s stand-in skipper Michael Bracewell praised his bowlers, stating, “The wicket had extra bounce after being under covers, and our bowlers used it well. We were happy with the total at the halfway stage.”
Allen and Seifert Seal Victory in Style
Chasing 136, New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert made light work of the target. Although Shaheen Afridi started with a maiden over, the momentum quickly shifted. Allen showcased his power-hitting prowess, smashing three sixes off Mohammad Ali in the second over. Seifert followed suit, taking Afridi apart for four sixes in the third over.
The duo’s explosive start saw seven sixes in the first three overs, setting the tone for a swift chase. Seifert, who looked set for a fifty, fell for a blistering 45 off 22 balls in the fifth over, while Allen contributed a rapid 38 from 16 balls before being dismissed by Jahandad Khan.
New Zealand reached 88/2 in seven overs, leaving only 48 runs needed from the remaining 48 balls. Despite brief hiccups with the dismissals of Mark Chapman and James Neesham, Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 21 off 16 balls and Bracewell’s finishing touch secured victory with 11 balls to spare.
Seifert, named Player of the Match, expressed his delight at returning to international cricket, saying, “As a Kiwi, playing for the nation is great. Playing alongside some of the best in the world helps you improve your game.”
Pakistan Seek Answers Ahead of Auckland Clash
Pakistan’s inconsistent powerplay performances proved costly once again. Captain Salman Agha acknowledged the shortcomings, stating, “We played better than the first game, but we need to finish our innings stronger and be more consistent with our bowling.”
With the series slipping away, Pakistan will need to regroup quickly as the teams head to Auckland for the third T20I. A loss there would hand New Zealand an unassailable series lead.
Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand’s aggressive powerplay batting set the tone for a dominant chase.
- The trio of Duffy, Sears, and Sodhi dismantled Pakistan’s top order.
- Salman Agha’s 46 and Pakistan’s lower-order contributions were the only positives for the visitors.
- New Zealand now lead the series 2-0 with three games remaining.
As the action shifts to Auckland, Pakistan will aim to bounce back and keep the series alive, while New Zealand looks to wrap things up in emphatic fashion.