New Zealand’s openers put on a power-packed performance, smashing sixes to secure a dominant five-wicket win over Pakistan, taking a 2-0 lead in the T20 series.
Playing at home in Dunedin on Tuesday, New Zealand chased down the target of 137 runs with ease, finishing at 137-5 with 11 balls to spare. Pakistan had earlier scored 135-9 in 15 overs after the match was shortened due to rain. With this win, New Zealand now has firm control of the five-match series.
New Zealand’s victory was powered by a blistering opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, who smashed seven sixes in their first eight scoring shots.
Seifert had a slow start, playing a maiden over against Shaheen Shah Afridi. But in the next over, Allen went on the attack, hitting three huge sixes off Mohammad Ali. Seifert then took charge, hammering 26 runs off Afridi’s second over, including four sixes, before getting out for 45 off 22 balls.
Allen followed soon after, scoring 38 off just 16 deliveries. Both openers hit five sixes each, giving New Zealand a strong start.
Speaking after the match, Allen said their game plan was simple—stay aggressive and get ahead in the chase early to make it easier for the middle order. “We just wanted to be positive and make sure the team could finish the job comfortably,” he said.
“It’s tough to judge in a 15-over game, but defending a total here is never easy,” said a player. “The short boundaries make it easier for the ball to travel. A target of around 170 would have been more challenging.”
New Zealand lost four wickets in quick succession during the middle overs, but Mitch Hay’s steady 21* ensured they comfortably sealed the win.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha led a fightback, scoring 46 off 28 balls after his team was sent into bat. Opener Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for a duck for the second time in the series, leaving Pakistan struggling at 19-2 in the fourth over.
Agha’s attacking knock included four fours and three sixes, while Shadab Khan (26 off 14) and Shaheen Afridi (22* off 14) added valuable runs in the middle and lower order.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was well-balanced, with four bowlers picking up two wickets each. Ben Sears and Jimmy Neesham, who replaced Tim Robinson and Kyle Jamieson, made an impact with the ball.
New Zealand had already dominated the first match, winning by nine wickets after bowling out Pakistan for just 91. They now have a chance to seal the series with a win in the third game in Auckland on Friday.
ALSO READ – IPL 2025: Virat Kohli & MS Dhoni Close to Record-Breaking Feats
