PAK vs NZ: New Zealand Wins Again, Extends Series Lead

PAK vs NZ: New Zealand finished at 137/5 with 11 balls remaining in Dunedin on Tuesday, taking a firm grip on the five-match series. This came after Pakistan had set a total of 135/9 in 15 overs during the rain-affected second match.

A dominant display from New Zealand as they secure a 2-0 lead in the series with a strong all-rounded performance. Pakistan showed more resilience compared to their previous match, but they still need improvements to make if they hope to stay competitive in the series.

New Zealand started with a maiden over, but they quickly switched to an aggressive approach as Seifert and Allen engaged in a thrilling display of power-hitting. Both batters looked to outshine each other to clear the boundary.  Together, they cleared the ropes 10 times, effectively taking control of the chase early and leaving Pakistan with little chance to bounce back.

Although neither batter stayed until the finish, they had already done significant damage as Tim Seifert blazed his way to 45 off just 22 balls, while Finn Allen hammered 38 off 16. Later, Mitchell Hay (21 off 16) made a handy contribution, and Michael Bracewell wrapped up the game with 11 balls to spare, sealing the victory.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi started with a maiden over, providing hope for green shirts but that hope quickly faded as the Kiwi openers unleashed an onslaught of aggressive strokes. Haris Rauf was a standout performer, picking up a couple of wickets and proving he’ll be a key player in the upcoming matches. Khushdil Shah delivered a decent performance, but the rest of the bowling attack was too expensive.

PAK vs NZ: 1st Inning

Earlier in the match, Pakistan posted a competitive total, led by a solid knock from captain Salman Ali Agha, who fired 46 off 28 deliveries. He was well-supported by Shadab Khan, who chipped in with a quick 26 off 14, and Shaheen Afridi, who added a useful 22 off 14 balls. Their combined efforts helped Pakistan reach 135/9 in their allotted 15 overs.

For New Zealand, they capitalized on the bowling conditions effectively, with Zakary Foulkes and Michael Bracewell leading the attack, though neither managed to take a wicket. However, the rest of the bowling unit stepped up, as Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi each picked up a couple of wickets, ensuring Pakistan’s batting lineup remained under control.

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