In a high-scoring thriller at Seddon Park, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 21 runs to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series. Chasing 195, Pakistan fell short despite valiant efforts from Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

 

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan's decision to invite New Zealand to the crease seemed to pay off initially as they restricted the Kiwis to 194 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. However, the game took a turn when the Pakistani batsmen faced the challenge of chasing down the target.

New Zealand's openers, Phil Allen and Devon Conway, set the stage on fire with a blistering start, amassing 59 runs in just 5 overs. The momentum shifted when Amer Jamal dismissed Conway in the sixth over, but skipper Kane Williamson stepped up, contributing a quick 26 runs off 15 balls before retiring.

Despite the setbacks, Finn Allen's stellar performance kept the run rate ticking for the Kiwis. Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner joined forces to bolster the score, culminating in a formidable total of 194 runs.

Pakistan faced an uphill battle in their chase, but the duo of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam injected hope with a remarkable 50-run partnership off 27 balls. However, after the dismissal of Fakhar and Babar, the Pakistani batting lineup struggled to find stability. The innings saw a valiant effort from Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who scored 22 runs off 13 balls, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap.

Kiwi bowler Adam Milne emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, dismantling the Pakistani camp with four crucial wickets. His impactful performance played a pivotal role in New Zealand's triumph.

As the dust settled on the electrifying encounter, New Zealand claimed victory by 21 runs, securing a 2-0 lead in the series. With three more matches to go, both teams will be looking to make strategic adjustments in the pursuit of clinching the series title. Cricket fans can expect more nail-biting action as the battle between Pakistan and New Zealand continues to unfold in the coming matches.