New Zealand secured a decisive victory against Pakistan in the fourth T20 match, winning by 115 runs and claiming an unassailable lead in the five-match series.
In the match held at Mount Maunganui, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, won the toss and opted to field first. New Zealand’s batters displayed an aggressive approach, reaching 50 runs within just 3.5 overs. The hosts finished their innings at 220/6 in 20 overs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack saw Haris Rauf taking three wickets, Abrar Ahmed grabbing two, and Abbas Afridi securing one dismissal.
Chasing a massive target, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Mohammad Haris managed just 2 runs, while Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan were dismissed after scoring a single run each. Irfan Khan put up some resistance with 24 runs, but the rest of the batting order failed to make an impact. Khushdil Shah scored only 6 runs, and Abbas Afridi fell for just 1 run.
The only standout performance came from Abdul Samad, who top-scored with 44 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf contributed 6 runs each before Pakistan was bowled out for 105 runs in 16.2 overs.
New Zealand’s bowlers delivered an exceptional performance, with Jacob Duffy leading the attack by taking four wickets. Zakary Foulkes secured three dismissals, while Will O’Rourke, Ish Sodhi, and James Neesham claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan’s lineup included Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.
With this win, New Zealand now leads the series 3-1, ensuring their series victory. The Kiwis had already won the first two matches, while Pakistan bounced back in the third T20 with a commanding nine-wicket win. That match saw 22-year-old Hasan Nawaz smashing a rapid century, breaking Babar Azam’s record.
