Team
New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the third T20I by 45 runs to wrap up the series with two matches remaining in the series. Black Caps are leading the T20 series with 3-0. Green shirts on the back of a 3-0 defeat in test series against Australia are under much pressure and criticism.
In the third T20 match New Zealand batted first and scored 224 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs. At the University Oval Stadium Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first. New Zealand lost their first wickets with 28 runs on the board. After that, for the second wicket, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert put on an authoritative partnership of 125 runs before Seifert got out in the 14th over after scoring 31 runs. Kiwi opener Finn Allen demonstrated superb skills with his bat to help New Zealand reach a competitive total of 224 runs. Allen scored 137 runs from just 62 balls he faced.
As far as Pakistani bowling is concerned, the economy column of the Pakistani bowling line-up showed it all. Haris Rauf was the highest wicket-taker with two wickets but at the same time, he gave away 60 runs at an economy of 15 runs per over.
When Pakistan came to bat the batters couldn’t build up a real partnership. From starting Pakistan kept on losing wickets consistently. Babar Azam was yet again the highest run-getter for Pakistan with 58 runs from only 37 balls. Mohammad Nawaz scored 28 and Mohammad Rizwan scored 24 runs. Pakistan could only manage to score 179 runs for a loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.
With this win, New Zealand won the T20 series with three wins in a row and two matches to go in the series. Pakistan will be looking to gain some consolation from the last two matches and take some positives from the series. This series is very important as T20 World Cup will be held in the summer of this year.
The next T20 match between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played on Friday.
