NZ vs PAK 2025, 2nd T20I Review: Bowlers, openers bag comfortable victory for New Zealand

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. (Photo Source: SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand and Pakistan met each other for the second T20I of the five-match series at the University Oval in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 18. Just like the women’s match that happened before this game, this clash was also affected by rain. After several delays and inspections the match was reduced to 15 overs per side. New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first.

The visitors had a shaky start with Hasan Nawaz getting dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first over. Memories of the first match might have been evoked but lightning was not going to strike twice today. This time, Pakistan survived the first couple of overs, losing only two wickets for 19 runs at the start of the third over. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan then combined to stabilise the innings. They added 31 runs off 21 balls before Irfan Khan (11 off 9) was scalped by Ish Sodhi.

Khushdil Shah (2 off 2) failed this time around. Agha then partnered with Shadab Khan to rebuild the innings. However, after a short partnership the captain went back to the pavilion, courtesy Ben Sears, after scoring 46 off 28 balls. Shadab and Abdul Samad took the total beyond the 100-run mark before the former was out for 26 off 14 balls.

The Pakistan innings went on in a start-stop-start manner. Following that theme, Shaheen Afridi gave a boost at the end, scoring 22* off 14 balls. The visitors ended the innings at 135/9 in their allotted 15 overs. For New Zealand, Sears, Sodhi, James Neesham and Jacob Duffy took two wickets each.

In reply, the Kiwi opening pair of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen was in a hurry to finish off the game. After Shaheen bowled the first over a maiden, Allen began the onslaught against Mohammed Ali, hitting three sixes in the over. In the next over, it was Seifert’s turn to make up for the maiden over he played. He smashed Shaheen for four sixes, scoring 26 runs off it. New Zealand were 44/0 after the third over.

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The duo continued in the same manner until Seifert (45 off 22) was dismissed by Ali. The 66-run opening partnership set the base for the batters to come to guide the team to a thumping victory but Pakistan put a slight brake on the momentum. Three wickets fell in the next couple of overs. Allen (38 off 16), Mark Chapman (1 off 6), and Neesham (5 off 4) were the batters to follow suit.

Daryl Mitchell (14 off 14) and Mitchell Hay (21* off 16) combined to score 35 off 26 balls together. In the end, New Zealand won the game by five wickets and 11 balls to spare. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the best bowler with figures of 2/20 from three overs. Ali, Shah, and Jahandad Khan were the other wicket-takers, picking up one each.

New Zealand lead the series 2-0 and the teams will now clash in the third T20I in Auckland on Friday, March 21.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.