Christchurch, January 21, 2024, The Europe Today: In a notable T20I turnaround, Pakistan secured a 42-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth T20I, preventing a series whitewash. Despite facing challenges in their batting innings, posting a modest total of 134-8 after winning the toss, Pakistan’s bowlers exhibited a stellar performance to defend their score.
New Zealand, chasing the target, faced a promising start at 53-2, but a dramatic collapse within 20 overs resulted in their bowing out for just 92 runs. Off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed played a crucial role, claiming figures of 3-24 in four overs. Captain Shaheen Afridi and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz contributed with two wickets each. Glenn Phillips top-scored for New Zealand with 26 runs.
In their batting innings, Pakistan struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling, with Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi each taking two wickets. Despite Mohammad Rizwan’s top-score of 38, Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive 33, and a challenging innings for key batter Babar Azam, who scored only 13, Pakistan managed to reach 134-8.
The victory allowed Pakistan to avoid a complete whitewash, providing a positive end to the series. However, New Zealand secured a convincing 4-1 series win, displaying dominance in the first four matches. The fifth T20I showcased Pakistan’s resilience, particularly in their bowling department, marking a commendable achievement in New Zealand.
