Third T20: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 95 runs to seal series with 2-1

WELLINGTON (Staff Report) –  New Zealand Friday defeated Pakistan by 95 runs in the final T20 game of three-match series at Wellington’s Westpack cricket stadium.

Black Caps set a 197 runs target after Pakistan won toss and elected to field first. The latter could score 101 runs while chasing the target.


Pakistan's Srfraz Ahmad scored 41 runs off 36 balls while Shoaib Malik contributed 14 runs. SKipper Shahid Afridi could score 8 runs only in his career's last match at New Zealand.

New Zealand's bowlers Milne and Elliot picked three wickets each.

New Zealand's Corey Anderson hammered 82 runs off 42 balls only while Guptil scored 42 runs off 19 balls only. Skipper Kane Williamson made 33 runs.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz picked two wickets against 43 runs while skipper Shahid Afridi got one wicket.

Earlier this day, after winning the toss, Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi said that the situations suit a lot for the team batting second that is why we have decided to bowl first. He added that Umar Gul and Sohaib Maqsood have been replaced by Muhammad Rizwan and Anwar in the playing XI.

The New Zealand skipper Williamson also vowed to perform well in the final match of the three and win the series against Pakistan. He said that Boult has replaced leg-spinner Todd Astle in the playing XI.

The T20 series will be followed by a three-match ODI series. Pakistan will conclude its New Zealand trip on January 31.

Pakistan Team:

A Shehzad, M Hafeez, M Rizwan, S Malik, U Akmal, S Afridi, +S Ahmed, I Wasim, Wahab Riaz, A Ali, M Amir

New Zealand Team:

M Guptill, K Williamson, C Munro, C Anderson, G Elliott, L Ronchi, M Santner, T Boult, A Milne, R Taylor, M McClenaghan

Tour Schedule:

1st T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Fri Jan 15 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Auckland

2nd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Sun Jan 17 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Hamilton

3rd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Fri Jan 22 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Wellington

1st ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Mon Jan 25 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Wellington

2nd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Thu Jan 28 01:00 GMT | 06:00 PST | at Napier

3rd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Sun Jan 31 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Auckland