Lahore ( NNP )Pakistan secured a crucial victory against New Zealand in the final T20 match of the series, narrowly avoiding defeat and sealing the series in their favor.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan set a challenging target of 178 runs for New Zealand to chase. Led by a stellar innings from Babar Azam, who scored 69 runs, supported by Fakhar Zaman (43) and Usman Khan (31), Pakistan showcased their batting prowess.
However, New Zealand’s bowlers fought back, with James Neesham, Ash Sodhi, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke, and Zachary Foulkes each claiming a wicket to keep the pressure on Pakistan.
In response, New Zealand’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite valiant efforts from Michael Bracewell (23) and Tim Seifert (52), the Kiwis fell short of the target, being bowled out for 168 runs.
Pakistan’s bowlers were the heroes of the day, with Shaheen Afridi leading the charge with four crucial wickets, supported by Usama Mir (two wickets) and contributions from Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan.
With this thrilling victory, Pakistan clinched the T20 series against New Zealand, showcasing their dominance in the shortest format of the game. Captain Babar Azam’s leadership and the team’s collective efforts were instrumental in securing the series win, much to the delight of cricket fans across the nation.
