Pakistan downed New Zealand by 9 runs in a resounding victory in the fifth and final match to level the T20I series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
The five-match series drew 2-2 with Pakistan winning the second and fifth T20I while New Zealand got the better of the home side in the third and fourth matches. Meanwhile, the first encounter in Pindi was called off due to rain.
Shaheen Afridi was once again Pakistan’s MVP with the ball as the left-armer took the game away from the visitors with his heroics in the 15th over as he sent James Neesham and Zakary Foulkes back to the pavilion on back-to-back deliveries. He ended his spell with 4/30 figures.
Chasing the 179-run target, the Kiwis were troubled by Afridi’s first-over heroics as the 24-year-old removed Tom Blundell with an in-swinging beauty.
With his wicket in the first over, Shaheen became the first bowler to take 50 wickets in T20 cricket. Behind him is India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has 43 wickets.
However, the Black Caps recovered quickly as Tim Seifert took charge of the innings and blasted Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir for boundaries all over the ground in his over.
The right-hander scored a quick 52 off 33 but was removed by Usama Mir in the ninth over. The leg-spinner was Pakistan’s second-best performer with the ball as he ended his spell with impressive figures of 2/21.
Despite losing wickets, the Black Caps didn’t lose focus and continued to play attacking cricket with Josh Clarkson doing the job down the order.
However, Clarkson couldn’t take his side over the line as all the remaining batters were out and as a result, the visitors suffered a nine-run defeat.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 178/5 with Babar Azam top-scoring for the side with 69 off 44 balls.
The hosts had a disappointing start with Saim Ayub only making 1 run. He was dismissed by William O’Rourke in the second over.
Usman Khan joined captain Babar Azam and the pair recovered well by scoring quickly. Usman, playing his fourth T20, made 31 off 24 balls with the help of four boundaries.
Meanwhile, Babar looked solid tonight with his strokes. The 29-year-old registered his 34th fifty in T20Is and also claimed the record for most fours in the history of the format.
On the other hand, Fakhar Zaman took charge in the second half of the innings and continued his form from the last game.
He finished on 43 off 33 balls which included five boundaries.
Shadab Khan played a 15-run cameo off just five balls which pushed Pakistan's total to 170+.
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