Wellington (Web Desk): New Zealand capped off their dominant T20I series with a commanding eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the fifth match in Wellington. Chasing a modest target of 129, the hosts made light work of the chase, finishing in just 10 overs with 131/2.
Tim Seifert put on an explosive display with an unbeaten 97 off just 38 balls, launching the ball to all corners of the ground with six fours and ten sixes, boasting a jaw-dropping strike rate of 255.26.
Seifert’s fireworks were complemented by Finn Allen’s quick-fire 27 off 12 balls, as New Zealand tore through the target in no time, leaving Pakistan with no chance of a comeback.
Pakistan’s lone successes came through Sufiyan Muqeem, who dismissed Allen and Mark Chapman, but it was too little, too late as the hosts raced to victory with 60 balls to spare.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan but the visitors' batting faltered as they managed a mere 128/9 in their 20 overs.
The Green Shirts struggled from the start, with early wickets tumbling in quick succession.
Captain Salman Agha stood out with a gritty 51 off 39 balls, but he was left stranded as
Pakistan's batting lineup crumbled under pressure from New Zealand's disciplined bowlers.
Pakistan's troubles began early when opener Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for a duck, followed by quick dismissals of Mohammad Haris and Omair Yousuf.
The visitors were reeling at 25/3, and though Shadab Khan injected some fight with a quick 28, Pakistan's innings lacked any real partnerships or acceleration.
Agha tried to hold the innings together, but his efforts were in vain as wickets continued to fall.
New Zealand's bowling attack, led by James Neesham’s devastating 5/22, ensured that Pakistan’s batsmen never found their rhythm.
Jacob Duffy (2/18), Ish Sodhi (1/32), and Ben Sears (1/25) all contributed to restricting the Pakistan total, making it a straightforward chase for the hosts.
The hosts made one change to the squad that secured an unassailable 3-1 series lead on Sunday, with Ben Sears coming in for Zak Foulkes.
Pakistan made four changes to their lineup, bringing in Omair bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Sufyan Moqim, and Mohammad Ali in place of Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed.
With this emphatic win, New Zealand sealed the T20I series with a 4-1 victory, showcasing their power and precision in the shortest format.
Teams
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke.
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (w), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali.