New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by five wickets in the second T20I held in Dunedin, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The match, reduced to 15 overs per side due to rain, showcased New Zealand’s dominance with both bat and ball.
Opting to bowl first, New Zealand’s bowlers exploited the conditions effectively. Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, and Ish Sodhi dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to 135/9. Captain Salman Agha was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring a valiant 46 off 28 balls, while Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi contributed with quick-fire cameos.
In response, New Zealand’s openers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, set the tone with a blistering 66-run partnership in just 4.4 overs. Seifert smashed 45 off 22 balls, while Allen added a rapid 38 off 16 deliveries. Despite a brief middle-order wobble, the hosts comfortably chased down the target in 13.1 overs, with Mitchell Hay and captain Michael Bracewell steering the team to victory.
The series now moves to Auckland, where Pakistan faces a must-win situation to keep their hopes alive. New Zealand’s all-round performance has put them in a strong position, while Pakistan will need to regroup and address their batting vulnerabilities.
Stay tuned for further updates as the series unfolds.
