How Pakistan clinched T20I series win against New Zealand

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A win in the final game for New Zealand in Queenstown meant that Pakistan women took the three-game T20I series by a 2-1 margin.

Pakistan’s success in New Zealand was their first-ever Women's T20I series win over the White Ferns - a major step ahead for Nida Dar's side. Young sensation Fatima Sana starred with the ball, taking the Player of the Series award for her six wickets. 

Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, and Aliya Riaz were the other star performers in Pakistan’s historic success. Let’s take a look at how the series played out.

1st T20I: Pakistan won by seven wickets in Dunedin

After a couple of practice games, Pakistan began the T20I leg of the series at the University Oval ground with a historic first. 

New Zealand opted to bat after winning the toss. The hosts got off to a decent start before pacer Fatima Sana ran through their top order. Her 3/18 slowed the scoring rate as Pakistan restricted the White Ferns for 127/6.

While chasing, a patient start from Muneeba Ali (23) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (41) helped Pakistan reach 40 runs by the ninth-over mark. Sophie Devine then struck for New Zealand to remove Muneeba. However, attacking knocks from Dar (14-ball 23) and Aliya Riaz (12-ball 25*) ensured a win for the tourists.

This was Pakistan’s first-ever win over New Zealand in Women's T20Is.

Joy for Pakistan with historic New Zealand series triumph

2nd T20I: Pakistan won by 10 runs in Dunedin

The second T20I marked a momentous occasion for White Ferns veteran Suzie Bates as she celebrated her 300th international appearance. In a fitting tribute to the New Zealand legend, her home ground was renamed for the day, becoming the Suzie Bates Oval to commemorate the special milestone. 

After being asked to bat, Pakistan registered 137/6 at the back of a solid start from Muneeba (35 from 28), and a late push from Aliya (32* from 22). Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold picked two wickets each for the White Ferns.

Early strikes from Sadia Iqbal were complemented by Sana’s canny work in the middle overs. The star bowler returned 3/22, including the big wickets of Bates and Sophie Devine. New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Pakistan eventually took the game by 10 runs. Securing a decisive 2-0 lead, they not only asserted their dominance but also etched their names into history by clinching a historic series victory over New Zealand.

3rd T20I: New Zealand won by six runs (DLS method) in Queenstown

New Zealand won the toss yet again and opted to field. In the absence of their regular skipper Devine, they were led by Amelia Kerr. Devine missed the final clash after receiving a Cortisone injection in her knee. 

Pakistan started positively, adding 64 for the first wicket. But positive work from Eden Carson (2/20) and Kerr (3/11) ensured that they were restricted to 137/5. Solid knocks from Bates (51* from 42) and Kerr (35 from 31) kept the New Zealand chase on track, and the side were six runs ahead of Pakistan (on DLS) when rain forced the game to end prematurely. 

The two sides will play a three-match ODI series which will be a part of the current ICC Women's Championship cycle. The first ODI will be played on 12 December in Queenstown, and the remaining two on 15 and 18 December in Christchurch.