Tim Seifert's explosive 45 off 22 balls and Finn Allen's rapid 38 from 16 deliveries powered New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the rain-affected second Twenty20 international on Tuesday. With the win, New Zealand took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Pakistan, led by captain Salman Ali Agha's 46-run knock, managed to post 135-9 in their allotted 15 overs after a wet outfield caused delays and reduced the game to 15 overs per side.
New Zealand's chase started cautiously as Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a maiden over. However, Seifert and Allen quickly turned the tide, smashing seven sixes in the next 12 balls. Their aggressive approach saw New Zealand comfortably chase down the target with 11 balls to spare.
The duo combined for ten sixes—five each—setting the pace for the chase. After a slow opening over, Allen hammered three sixes in the second over, while Seifert cleared the boundary four times in the third over, propelling New Zealand to 44-0.
Chasing 136 in 90 balls, the hosts had already reduced the requirement to 70 from 60 balls by the end of the power play. By the seventh over, New Zealand stood at 87-2 after Allen's dismissal, following Seifert's earlier departure.
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“There’s not too much talking in the middle,” Seifert said after the match. “It’s all about backing our skills and putting pressure on the bowlers when we get the chance.”
Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 21 ensured New Zealand crossed the finish line, while Michael Bracewell sealed the win with a boundary off Jahandad Khan.
Earlier, New Zealand, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, took advantage of the fresh pitch at University Oval. Jacob Duffy, who starred in the first match with 4-14, struck early, removing Hasan Nawaz in the first over.
Pakistan’s innings saw some early promise at 19-1, but Ben Sears' introduction in the fourth over led to Mohammad Haris' dismissal on the very first ball. Sears, returning from an injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy, used his height effectively, with Haris slicing the delivery to third man.
By the end of the power play, Pakistan was 36-2. Salman tried to accelerate, smashing a 75-meter six off Jimmy Neesham and guiding his team to 48-2. However, spinner Ish Sodhi turned the game in New Zealand's favor, dismissing Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2) in the seventh over, reducing Pakistan to 52-4.
Despite Salman’s efforts—taking 10 runs off Sears in the eighth over and 13 off Sodhi in the ninth—he was caught in the next over at deep mid-wicket off Sears’ bowling.
Shadab Khan (26) kept the momentum going, hitting a six in the 10th over and adding 14 runs in the 11th over off Bracewell. He struck a six and a four off Duffy in the 12th but was eventually caught at cow corner.
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Pakistan added 25 runs in the final three overs, with Afridi’s 22 off 14 balls providing a late boost.
Reflecting on the loss, Agha said, “It was a better performance compared to the last match. We batted better, but we still need to improve our finishing.”
Source: With input from agency