• New Zealand clinched a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I to secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

  • Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match for his explosive knock for New Zealand.

Fans react as Tim Seifert and bowlers power New Zealand to a 2-0 lead over Pakistan in the T20I series
NZ vs PAK (Image Source: X)

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New Zealand registered a commanding five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I of the five-game series at Dunedin, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. After a rain-shortened 15-over match, Pakistan posted 135/9, with captain Salman Ali Agha‘s 46 (28) being the standout performance. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Jacob Duffy (2/20) and Ish Sodhi (2/17), restricted Pakistan despite late hitting from Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14). In response, Tim Seifert’s explosive 45 off 22 balls set the platform, as New Zealand chased the target in 13.1 overs. Seifert was named Player of the Match for his aggressive batting display.

Pakistan struggle to build momentum despite Salman Ali Agha’s heroics

After losing the toss, Pakistan was put in to bat on a damp surface, and their innings got off to a disastrous start. Hasan Nawaz fell for a duck in the first over, while Mohammad Haris (11 off 10) followed soon after, reducing Pakistan to 19/2 in 3.1 overs. Salman, leading the side, played a captain’s knock, smashing 46 off 28 balls, including four fours and three sixes, to revive the innings. However, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2) fell cheaply, while Shadab Khan provided a late surge with a quickfire 26 off 14 balls, striking at 185.71.

The last few overs saw Shaheen’s unbeaten 22 off 14, helping Pakistan cross 135/9 in 15 overs. New Zealand’s bowling was disciplined, with Jacob Duffy (2/20), Ben Sears (2/23) and Ish Sodhi (2/17) keeping Pakistan in check. Jimmy Neesham’s (2/26) all-round effort further dented Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.

Also WATCH: Mark Chapman takes a sharp running catch to dismiss Salman Agha in NZ vs PAK 2nd T20I

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen’s powerplay assault seals the win for New Zealand

New Zealand’s chase started explosively, with Seifert and Finn Allen launching a brutal attack on Pakistan’s bowlers. The duo scored 66 runs inside the first five overs, with Seifert smashing 45 off just 22 balls, featuring three fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 204.54. Allen was equally destructive, blasting 38 off 16 balls with five sixes, before being trapped lbw by Jahandad Khan.

Despite a minor middle-order stutter, with Mark Chapman (1), Daryl Mitchell (14) and Neesham (5) falling quickly, wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay (21 not out off 16) guided New Zealand home. Michael Bracewell (5 not out off 2) finished the chase in style, as New Zealand reached 137/5 in 13.1 overs, winning with 11 balls to spare. Haris Rauf (2/20) was Pakistan’s best bowler, while Shaheen, Mohammad Ali and Khushdil Shah picked up a wicket each. With this win, New Zealand now leads the series 2-0, putting Pakistan under pressure to bounce back in the remaining three matches.

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Also READ: Top 5 lowest totals for Pakistan in T20Is

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