March 18, 2025: New Zealand secured a dominant five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I of their five-match series at Dunedin on Tuesday. The Kiwis now lead 2-0 in the series, with three matches remaining.
Pakistan, after winning the toss, opted to bat first, but their top order was dismantled early. Ben Sears (2/23) and Jacob Duffy (2/20) sent openers Mohammed Haris (11) and Hasan Nawaz (0) back to the pavilion, leaving Pakistan at 19/2 in just over three overs.
New Zealand go 2-0 up in the five-match T20I series with a victory in Dunedin
— ICC (@ICC) March 18, 2025
Scoreshttps://t.co/YZlHlsigHk pic.twitter.com/u9JiOpYP9i
Captain Salman Agha and Irfan Khan attempted to stabilize the innings, pushing the score to 36/2 in six overs. However, the middle order crumbled as Irfan (11) and Khusdil Shah (2) fell in quick succession to Ish Sodhi. Pakistan were reeling at 52/4 in the seventh over.
Agha, playing a valiant knock, managed to score 46 from 28 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, before falling to Sears. With the loss of Agha, Pakistan found themselves at 76/5 in the 9th over.
Shadab Khan (26 from 14 balls) and Shaheen Afridi (22* from 14 balls) managed to contribute some late runs, pushing Pakistan to 135/9 in their 15 overs in the rain-affected match.
During the chase, New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen came out with a bang. Allen dominated with three sixes off Mohammed Ali in the second over, while Seifert followed with four sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the next over. NZ reached 50 in just four overs.
Ali eventually ended the 66-run opening partnership, dismissing Seifert for 45 from 32 balls, including three fours and five sixes, at 66/1. Allen, who had been in explosive form, was dismissed by Jahandad Khan for 38 from just 16 balls (one four and five sixes), reducing NZ to 87/2 in the sixth over.
Despite a couple of quick wickets falling, including Mark Chapman (1) and James Neesham (5), New Zealand remained in control at 97/4 in 8.3 overs. Daryl Mitchell (14 from 14 balls) and Mitchell Hay (21 from 16 balls) helped steady the chase, taking their side to victory with 11 balls and five wickets to spare.
Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 3/20.
Seifert’s blistering knock earned him the 'Player of the Match' award for his impactful innings.
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
