Twin half-centuries from Tim Seifert (84* off 63) and Kane Williamson (57* off 42), a four-wicket haul by fast bowler Tim Southee saw New Zealand take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Hamilton on Sunday.
The match started with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The tourists top-order couldn’t find form once again, with veteran Mohammad Hafeez coming to their rescue.
Hafeez scored an unbeaten 99 off just 57 balls, smashing ten fours and five sixes. He guided his team to a respectable total – 163/6 – at the batting-friendly surface of Seddon Park.
Southee bagged four wickets for just 21 runs in his quota of four overs. Meanwhile, James Neesham and Ish Sodhi picked up a wicket each.
The hosts completed the chase with nine-wickets in hands, courtesy of Seifert and Williamson’s unbeaten 129-run stand for the second wicket.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Very, very comfortable that. #NZvsPAK
— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) December 20, 2020
And thats the game! Seifert and Williamson put on a fantastic 129 run partnership to seal the T20 series for New Zealand! A wonderful display of T20 batting! #NZvsPAK
— Down The Track (@DownTheTrack2) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/sparknzsport/status/1340585772278185985
VICTORY! Tim Seifert (84*) & Kane Williamson (57*) lead the team to a nine wicket win at Seddon Park! #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/YECt3AQfeA
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2020
That’s just Kane doing Kane things 🙌#NZvPAK @BLACKCAPS
— Matt Gibb (@Matt_Gibb) December 20, 2020
Imagine thinking there’s ever been a better Kiwi batsman then Kane Williamson #NZvsPAK
— Luke Robinson (@WhakataneLuke) December 20, 2020
Tim Seifert 💥#NZvsPAK
— ℭʜᴀɪᴛʜᴜ ℜᴇᴅᴅʏ (@chaithu_reddy18) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Commentary_cat/status/1340585517188927491
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS
Great piece of cricket from Newzealand in both departments.A "PURE CLASSY" innings from @MHafeez22 but in vain.
Again top order failed miserably and pressure was produced and we fell at least 20runs short.
Hope best for the remaining tour.#NZvsPAK— A L I H A M Z A (@aleehamza_8) December 20, 2020
That was a special knock! Well played @MHafeez22 👊#NZvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreenhttps://t.co/5ol94DlIfO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 20, 2020
Player of the Match – #TimSouthee for his incredible spell of 4/21 👍🏽🏏🇳🇿🏆 . #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/XXxJNLWk7Q
— Sharat Chandra Bhatt (@imsbhatt0707) December 20, 2020
