CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: New Zealand Defeats Pakistan by Five Wickets in 2nd T20, Takes 2-0 Lead in Series

Powered by explosive innings from Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, along with an impressive performance from Kiwi pacers, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the second T20 held in Dunedin on Tuesday, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Pakistan’s Innings: Struggles & Late Fightback

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Kiwi bowlers quickly made an impact:

✅ Ben Sears (2/23) and Jacob Duffy (2/20) dismissed Pakistan’s openers Mohammad Haris (11) and Hasan Nawaz (0) early, leaving Pakistan at 19/2 in 3.1 overs.

✅ Skipper Salman Ali Agha (46 off 28 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) played a crucial knock, but Sears dismissed him at 76/5 in 9.2 overs.

✅ Shadab Khan (26 off 14 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14 balls, 2 fours, 1 six)* contributed valuable runs in the lower order, helping Pakistan post 135/9 in the rain-shortened 15-over match.

New Zealand’s Aggressive Chase

Chasing 136, New Zealand got off to a blistering start:

🔥 Finn Allen smashed three sixes off Mohammad Ali in the second over, while Tim Seifert hammered four sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the next over, putting Pakistan on the back foot.

🚀 New Zealand raced to 50 runs within just four overs.

✅ Tim Seifert (45 off 32 balls, 3 fours, 5 sixes) and Finn Allen (38 off 16 balls, 1 four, 5 sixes) built a 66-run partnership before Seifert was dismissed by Mohammad Ali at 66/1 in 4.4 overs.

✅ Allen fell LBW to Zaman Khan at 87/2 in 6.5 overs.

✅ New Zealand lost Mark Chapman (1) and James Neesham (5) quickly, slipping to 97/4 in 8.3 overs.

However, Daryl Mitchell (14 off 14 balls) and Mitchell Hay (21 off 16 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) ensured New Zealand’s victory, sealing the win with 11 balls to spare.

Match Highlights:

🏆 New Zealand wins by 5 wickets

🎯 Series Lead: 2-0

⭐ Top Bowler for Pakistan: Haris Rauf (3/20)

🏅 Player of the Match: Tim Seifert for his explosive batting performance.

New Zealand now holds a strong position in the series, while Pakistan will look to bounce back in the upcoming matches.

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