NZ thrash Pakistan by 115 runs to wrap up T20I series

New Zealand won their T20I series against Pakistan on Sunday evening in Mount Maunganui, crushing the visitors by 115 runs in the fourth match of five to go ahead 3-1.

After having unexpectedly dropped the third T20I on Friday despite being heavy favourites across cricket betting sites, this was the perfect response from the Black Caps.

Again, they made a strong start through openers Tim Seifert (44 from 22) and Finn Allen (50 from 20), but this time their middle order and rearguard took them through to a commanding total of 220/6.

Allen’s half-century was the top score, but Mark Chapman (24 from 16), Daryl Mitchell (29 from 23) and Michael Bracewell (46 from 26) all played excellent cameos as well.

In response, Pakistan were in tatters early.

The first two overs led to three wickets falling, with Will O’Rourke and Jacob Duffy — who would go on to take 4/20 — removing Mohammad Haris (2 from 2), Hasan Nawaz (1 from 4) and Salman Agha (1 from 5).

Irfan Khan (24 from 16) stuck around for a while, but wickets kept falling at the other end as the visitors slipped to 56/8. 

Only a late burst from Abdul Samad (44 from 30) got Pakistan through to triple digits, but a wily stumping by Mitchell Hay off Ish Sodhi ended the resistance as they fell for 105.

“Yeah, very happy with the performance tonight,” Kiwi captain Bracewell said after the match.

“I think bouncing back only a day or so after their performance at Eden Park was outstanding. 

“I think it shows the benefit of those guys batting so well at the top, they got us very well ahead of the game.”

Pakistani captain Agha rued his side’s inability to play the swinging ball but is eager to make amends in the final match of the series.

“They bowled really well,” he said.

“You have to get them the credit they’ve bowled really well, and they outplayed us. 

“The way the ball was swinging in the second inning, I think it was too much. 

“It does a lot in the second inning, but we are international cricketers, so we have to adapt to that, and we will have to be better. 

“We have our last game. We will regroup and sit down and see what we need to improve, and then we will come good in the next game as well.”

The two sides meet for their final T20I on Wednesday in Wellington, where New Zealand are -250 favourites at Nags.bet to win again and close out the series 4-1.

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