WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fifth and final T20I at Sky Stadium on Wednesday, sealing the series 4-1 in emphatic fashion.
Chasing a modest target of 128, the Black Caps overhauled the total with ease, reaching the target in just 10 overs while losing only two wickets.
Opener Tim Seifert played a blistering knock, smashing an unbeaten 97 off just 38 deliveries, laced with ten sixes and six fours.
His explosive innings saw New Zealand cruise to victory with a remarkable 60 balls to spare.
Seifert was particularly severe on Pakistan’s bowling attack, sealing the win in style by hammering three consecutive sixes off leg-spinner Shadab Khan.
His opening partner, Finn Allen, provided early impetus with a quick-fire 27 off 12 balls, including five fours and a six, before falling to left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem in the seventh over.
Muqeem struck again in his next over, dismissing Mark Chapman to briefly slow the Kiwis’ charge.
However, Seifert’s relentless onslaught ensured a one-sided finish, with Daryl Mitchell (2 not out) providing minor support at the other end.
Pakistan struggle to post competitive total
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting woes continued as they could only manage 128 for 9 after being put into bat by New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell.
The visitors suffered early setbacks, losing opener Hasan Nawaz for a duck in the second over—his third in the series—after being undone by Jacob Duffy’s swing.
Duffy further dented Pakistan’s top order, removing Omair Yousuf in his next over as the tourists slumped to 23 for 2.
Mohammad Haris (11), Usman Khan (7), and Abdul Samad (4) failed to make an impact, leaving Pakistan reeling at 52 for 5 in the 10th over.
Captain Salman Ali Agha and all-rounder Shadab Khan then staged a brief recovery, stitching together a 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Shadab contributed a brisk 28 off 20 balls, including five boundaries, before falling to James Neesham in the 17th over.
Neesham struck again in the same over, dismissing Jahandad Khan, before removing Agha in the penultimate over.
The Pakistan captain top-scored with a resilient 51 off 39 deliveries, featuring six fours and a six.
Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, claiming an impressive 5 for 22 in his four-over spell.
Duffy provided early breakthroughs with two wickets, while Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears chipped in with one scalp apiece.
New Zealand’s ruthless display
New Zealand’s decision to bowl first paid dividends, as their bowlers exploited the conditions to restrict Pakistan to a below-par total.
Their batsmen then showcased an aggressive approach, led by Seifert’s breathtaking knock, to complete the chase in record time.
With this victory, New Zealand clinched the five-match series 4-1.
Pakistan Playing XI
Mohammad Haris (w), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali.
New Zealand Playing XI
Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.
