Clinical New Zealand seal second T20I, leave Pakistan on the brink

New Zealand outclassed Pakistan by five wickets in a rain-affected second T20I at the University Oval on Tuesday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

The match, reduced to 15 overs per side due to persistent rain, saw the hosts successfully chase down a 136-run target with 11 balls to spare, riding on explosive knocks from Tim Seifert and Finn Allen.

After being put in to bat, Pakistan struggled early, losing Hasan Nawaz for a duck in the first over to Jacob Duffy. The visitors were further rattled when Ben Sears removed Mohammad Haris for 11, leaving them at 19-2 in 3.1 overs.

Captain Agha Salman, alongside young Irfan Khan, steadied the innings with a 31-run partnership before Ish Sodhi struck, dismissing both Irfan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2) to reduce Pakistan to 52-4. Salman continued to play aggressively, scoring 46 off 28 balls, but his dismissal, followed by Shadab Khan’s departure for 26, dented Pakistan’s hopes of a strong total.

Late contributions from Shaheen Afridi (22) and Abdul Samad (11) helped Pakistan reach 135 before being bowled out. Duffy, Sears, Sodhi, and Jimmy Neesham claimed two wickets each for New Zealand.

Seifert, Allen power New Zealand’s chase

Chasing 136, New Zealand got off to a blistering start as Seifert and Allen dominated the Pakistan bowling attack. The pair put on a 66-run stand in just 4.4 overs before Seifert fell for a quickfire 45 off 22 balls to Mohammad Ali, who claimed his maiden T20I wicket.

Allen, continuing the assault, smashed 38 off 16 balls before being dismissed by Jahandad Khan, leaving New Zealand at 87-2 in the seventh over. Mark Chapman (1) and Jimmy Neesham (14) departed cheaply, with Haris Rauf striking twice to bring Pakistan back into the game.

However, a composed 35-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell (14) and Mitchell Hay (21*) ensured there were no further hiccups. Captain Michael Bracewell hit the winning runs as New Zealand secured the win with ease.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf took two wickets, while Mohammad Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Jahandad Khan claimed one each.

The teams will now head to Dunedin for the third T20I, where Pakistan will look to