Lahore (Web Desk): New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 4 runs in the fourth T20I of five-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday night.
Pakistan, after winning the toss decided to field first.
Batting first, New Zealand set a 179-run target for Pakistan in 20 overs at the loss of 7 wickets. Chasing the target, Pakistan could score only 174 runs in 20 overs at the loss of 8 wickets.
New Zealand started briskly with Robinson and Tom Blundell, who made 28 off 15, putting on 56 for the opening stand in five overs.
But from 94-1 New Zealand lost three wickets, including that of dangerman Mark Chapman for eight, as Pakistan’s fielders held catches to back some good bowling by Abbas.
Dean Foxcroft chipped in with 34 off 26 deliveries and skipper Michael Bracewell added 27 to keep the scoreboard ticking as New Zealand managed 43 in the last five overs.
From Pakistan side, Fakhar Zaman played a brilliant innings of 61 runs, but apart from him, none of the batsmen could stay long in front of the Kiwi bowlers.
Iftikhar Ahmed scored 23, Saim Ayub 20, Usman Khan16, Shadab Khan 7, Babar Azam 5, Abbas Afridi 1, Imad Wasim 22 and Mohammad Amir remained not out with one run.
For New Zealand, William O'Rourke took 3 wickets, Ben Sears 2, Michael Bracewell and James Neesham took 1 wicket each.
Pakistan also lost the third match by seven wickets after winning the first by the same margin while the first match was abandoned after just two balls, all three in Rawalpindi.
The fifth and last match of the series will be played at the same venue on Saturday.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Zaman Khan.
New Zealand: TA Blundell (wk), TB Robinson, D Foxcroft, MS Chapman, JDS Neesham, Michael Bracewell (c), JA Clarkson, Ish Sodhi, JA Duffy, BV Sears, W O'Rourke.