New Zealand sealed a convincing eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fifth T20 match, securing a 4-1 series win. The match, held in Wellington on Wednesday, saw an outstanding performance from Tim Seifert, who smashed 97 runs off just 38 balls to help the Black Caps chase down Pakistan’s modest target of 129 in just 10 overs.
Pakistan Struggles with the Bat
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Pakistan found it difficult to build momentum. They managed to score the best 128/9 in 20 overs, with Salman Agha leading with 51 runs. Shadab Khan (28) and Mohammad Haris (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures, as the rest of the lineup struggled against New Zealand’s sharp bowling attack.
James Neesham was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking five wickets and causing major trouble for the Pakistani batting order. His disciplined bowling ensured that Pakistan never got the big finish they were hoping for.
Seifert’s Explosive Knock Steals the Show
New Zealand’s chase was nothing short of spectacular. Tim Seifert came out all guns blazing, scoring a breathtaking 97 runs, missing his century by just three runs. His innings included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, making it one of the fastest chases in recent times. Finn Allen provided good support with 24 runs, and the Black Caps reached the target with ease.
Seifert’s impressive performance in the series saw him end as the leading run-scorer with 249 runs at an average of 62.25, showcasing his dominance with the bat.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (w), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Omair Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (w), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke
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