Pakistan showed signs of improvement with the bat in Dunedin after their disastrous collapse for 91 in Christchurch. However, their total of 135/9 in a rain-shortened 15-over contest in the second T20I was insufficient to challenge New Zealand. The hosts comfortably chased down the target, winning by five wickets with 2.5 overs to spare, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue
Opting to bat first, Pakistan faced immediate setbacks as New Zealand’s pacers exploited the lively surface effectively. Jacob Duffy struck in the opening over, dismissing Hasan Nawaz for a second consecutive duck. Ben Sears then removed Mohammad Haris (11), caught at third man, leaving Pakistan in trouble early on.
While the top order once again struggled against pace and bounce, Ish Sodhi’s twin strike in the seventh over proved crucial. He dismissed Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2), reducing Pakistan to 52/4. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the visitors failed to build partnerships, making a challenging total even harder to achieve.
Captain Salman Agha’s Fighting Knock
Despite Pakistan’s batting woes, captain Salman Agha stood out with a valiant knock. He played a crucial 46-run innings off just 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. His positive intent provided some stability in the middle order.
Shadab Khan (26 off 14) supported him with a brisk cameo, hitting a six and two boundaries before falling to Duffy. However, Pakistan’s lower order couldn’t sustain the momentum. James Neesham’s double strike in the 13th over saw Jahandad Khan and Abdul Samad dismissed in quick succession.
A late flourish from Shaheen Afridi (22* off 14) lifted Pakistan to 135/9, ensuring they at least had a target to defend. However, given the short boundaries and New Zealand’s aggressive batting lineup, the total was far from formidable.
New Zealand’s Chase: Early Blitz Takes the Game Away
Pakistan made an encouraging start with the ball. Shaheen Afridi bowled a maiden over to Tim Seifert, momentarily building pressure. However, the hosts swiftly turned the game around as Finn Allen (38 off 16) launched a counter-attack. He took on Mohammad Ali in the second over, smashing three sixes to put New Zealand on the front foot.
Seifert then joined the onslaught, punishing Shaheen Afridi in the third over with four massive sixes, including a towering hit over deep mid-wicket. By the end of the powerplay, New Zealand had raced to 44/0, effectively putting the chase on autopilot.
Pakistan’s Fightback in the Middle Overs
Pakistan clawed back into the contest with crucial wickets. Mohammad Ali claimed his maiden T20I wicket, dismissing Seifert for a well-made 45 off 22 balls. Jahandad Khan then trapped Finn Allen lbw, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope. Mark Chapman followed soon after, struggling to find rhythm before being dismissed for just 1 off 6 balls.
Haris Rauf then removed James Neesham (5) in the ninth over, with 39 more runs needed. At this point, Pakistan sensed an opportunity. The momentum could have shifted further had Shadab Khan held on to a simple chance at cover to dismiss Mitchell Hay. However, he redeemed himself soon after with a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell (14 off 14).
New Zealand Clinches Victory with Composed Batting
Despite losing wickets, the early fireworks from Allen and Seifert had already set the platform for New Zealand. With the required run rate never posing a challenge, Mitchell Hay (21 off 16) and captain Michael Bracewell (4*) guided their team home.
Bracewell sealed the victory with a boundary off Jahandad Khan in the 14th over, ensuring New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the series with a commanding five-wicket win.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Pakistan’s Batting: A Mixed Bag
Pakistan showed improvement compared to their first match, but their batting unit remains inconsistent. Salman Agha’s innings stood out as a positive, but the lack of partnerships hurt Pakistan’s chances of posting a competitive total. The top order needs to handle pace and bounce better to provide stronger starts.
New Zealand’s Bowling: Disciplined and Effective
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans efficiently, exploiting the conditions well. Ish Sodhi (2-17) and Jacob Duffy (2-20) played crucial roles in stifling Pakistan’s batting. Ben Sears and James Neesham also chipped in with vital breakthroughs at key moments.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s Explosive Start
The match was effectively decided in the first three overs of New Zealand’s chase. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s aggressive stroke play put Pakistan on the back foot immediately, making the rest of the chase a mere formality. Their fearless approach against quality bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Ali showcased New Zealand’s dominance in home conditions.
Pakistan’s Missed Chances in the Field
Pakistan had a brief opening to make the match competitive but failed to capitalize. Shadab Khan’s dropped catch proved costly, allowing New Zealand to maintain control. In T20 cricket, taking half-chances can often change the game’s outcome, and Pakistan must improve in this aspect to compete effectively.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With two matches lost, Pakistan now faces an uphill battle to stay alive in the series. The team must address its top-order struggles and improve fielding standards. Bowling in the powerplay also needs refinement, as the inability to take early wickets has put them on the back foot in both matches so far.
If Pakistan can find a way to build stronger batting partnerships and capitalize on crucial moments in the game, they can still fight back in the remaining matches.
New Zealand showcased their superiority once again with an all-round performance. While Pakistan improved with the bat, their total of 135/9 was not enough to put pressure on the hosts. The aggressive starts by Allen and Seifert ensured an easy chase, and despite some middle-order hiccups, New Zealand comfortably wrapped up the game.
As the series moves forward, Pakistan must reassess their approach, particularly in batting and fielding. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to seal the series early with another dominant display. The third T20I will be crucial in determining whether Pakistan can mount a comeback or if New Zealand continues its winning run.
