AUCKLAND -UNS: Pakistan outclass New Zealand by nine wickets in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday. Hasan Nawaz played an unbeaten innings of 105 runs.
The Team Green got off to a strong start with openers Mohammad Haris and Nawaz building a strong opening partnership.
After Haris was dismissed for 41, Salman Ali Agha joined Nawaz and the duo splendidly achieved the mammoth target of 205 runs in 16 overs.
Earlier, Kiwis set a target of 205 with Mark Champan playing an innings of 94 runs by smashing 15 boundaries.
The innings recovered his side from early losses after Pakistani pacer duo – Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi – blew up the opening pair.
Daryl Mitchell made 17 runs while Michael Bracewell scored 31, helping their side set a giant target for visitors.
Harif Rauf took three-wicket haul while Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets each.
On Tuesday, New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets at the University Oval in Dunedin to go 2-0 up in the five-match T20I series.
In a rain-shortened match which was reduced to 15 overs a side, Pakistan after being put into bat for the second successive time in the series managed to score 135 for nine courtesy a 28-ball 46 from captain Salman Ali Agha. The right-hand batter innings included four fours and three sixes.
Shadab Khan (26, 14b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (22 not out, 14b, 2x4s, 1×6) were the other significant run-getters for the touring side. For the hosts, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy and James Neesham bagged two wickets apiece.
In turn, New Zealand achieved the target in 13.1 overs, losing five wickets in the process. Opening batters Tim Seifert (45, 22b, 3x4s, 5x6s) and Finn Allen (38, 16b, 1×4, 5x6s) provided a brisk 66-run first-wicket stand.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the most successful bowler, clinching two wickets for 20 in three overs.
