Pakistan T20I squad travels to Auckland for crucial third T20I against New Zealand

The Pakistan national team has traveled from Dunedin to Auckland ahead of the crucial third T20I against New Zealand, which is scheduled for March 21.

The team will hold a practice session at Eden Park tomorrow, from 2 PM to 5 PM local time, as they aim to recover from two consecutive losses in the ongoing series.

Pakistan faced another setback in the second T20I, following a disappointing performance in the series opener. The Men in Green were unable to defend a target of 136 runs in a rain-affected match that was reduced to 15 overs per side.

New Zealand started their chase aggressively, with openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen putting together a rapid 66-run partnership. Seifert was particularly dominant, scoring 45 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed by Mohammad Ali, who claimed his first-ever T20I wicket. 

Allen continued the attack, making 38 runs off just 16 balls before being dismissed by Jahandad Khan. Despite a couple of quick wickets—Mark Chapman falling for just one run off Khushdil Shah’s bowling and Jimmy Neesham being dismissed for 5 by Haris Rauf—New Zealand remained in control. 

Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Hay formed a crucial 35-run partnership, bringing the Black Caps closer to victory. Though Haris Rauf struck again to dismiss Mitchell for 14, captain Michael Bracewell and Hay guided New Zealand home with 11 balls to spare, securing an easy win.

Pakistan's batting woes continued as they lost early wickets once again. Captain Salman Ali Agha and young Irfan Khan tried to rebuild the innings with a 31-run stand, but Ish Sodhi’s double strike in the seventh over left Pakistan in trouble at 52-4, removing Irfan for 11 and Khushdil Shah for 2.

Despite the mounting pressure, Agha played a determined knock of 46 off 28 balls, with Shadab Khan contributing 26 runs. However, their dismissals left Pakistan struggling, and a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi (22) could only push the total to a modest 135 runs.