New Zealand powers past Pakistan to extend series lead to 2-0

New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the rain-shortened second T20I at the University Oval on Tuesday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. 

The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to persistent rain, and Pakistan posted a total of 135 runs after being asked to bat first. In response, New Zealand chased down the target with ease, reaching 137/5 with 11 balls to spare.

Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a solid foundation for New Zealand’s chase, putting on a 66-run partnership. Seifert played an aggressive knock, scoring 45 runs off just 22 balls before he was dismissed by Mohammad Ali for his maiden T20I wicket. 

Allen continued to attack, scoring 38 runs from 16 balls. However, he was dismissed by Jahandad Khan, leaving New Zealand at 87/2 in the seventh over. Mark Chapman failed to make an impact, departing for just one run, while Jimmy Neesham added 5 runs before falling to Haris Rauf. At 97/4, New Zealand’s chase looked under pressure.

Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Hay then steadied the ship, adding 35 runs for the fifth wicket. Mitchell was dismissed for 14, leaving New Zealand at 132/5 in the 13th over. Skipper Michael Bracewell guided his team to victory with Hay, who remained unbeaten on 21.

Haris Rauf was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming two wickets. Mohammad Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Jahandad Khan each took one wicket. 

Earlier, Pakistan's batting struggled, with the team losing quick wickets in the early overs. Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for a duck in the first over, followed by Mohammad Haris, who was out for 11. 

Agha Salman and Irfan Khan briefly revived the innings with a 31-run partnership, but Pakistan’s middle order collapsed as Ish Sodhi took two quick wickets. Salman fought back, scoring 46 runs from 28 balls, while Shadab Khan added 26 runs before being dismissed. Pakistan’s total was further pushed up by Shaheen Afridi's 22 runs, but it was not enough to set a challenging target for New Zealand.

For New Zealand, Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, and Jimmy Neesham all contributed with two wickets each, ensuring the win and a 2-0 series lead.

Playing XI: 

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali