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That brings us to the end of our coverage for this encounter. New Zealand have taken the series 3-0 with two matches still left. Lot of cricketing action going on today. For now, this is me (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) bidding adieu also on behalf of my fellow commentator and good mate Mohul Bhowmick.
New Zealand won by 45 runs
Finn Allen 137(62) | Tim Southee 2/29(4) Babar Azam 58(37) | Haris Rauf 2/60(4)
The target of 225 proved to be too much for Pakistan as they went onto lose the 3rd T20I by 45 runs and surrender the series with a couple of matches still to go. The opening duo of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan needed to get off to a blistering start in the powerplay for them to have any chance in the game. It wasn't the case as new ball bowlers Tim Southee and Matt Henry started off brilliantly. Saim Ayub did strike a couple of boundaries in the second over but it was not enough for Pakistan given the powerplay was on and the required rate was close to 12.
Saim Ayub departed of the bowling of Tim Southee. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started the resurrection job but they couldn't have taken their time. Babar went hard right from the outset while Rizwan also smashed a couple of sixes. However, the required rate kept climbing as the strike wasn't rotated after the occasional boundaries. It was Mitchell Santner who sent Rizwan packing with a flatter trajectory delivery.
Fakhar Zaman came in at No 4 and started positively with a six and a couple of fours. But it was one shot too many in the end as he skewed one up in the air as Lockie Ferguson got into the game. Azam Khan started with a meaty blow but that was the only contribution in the match for him. He departed for 10 but Babar continued the good work but kept losing partners at the other end.
Iftikhar Ahmed was lazy out there and ran himself out which was perhaps the final nail in the coffin. Babar Azam struck a couple of fours in the 16th over before Ish Sodhi accounted for his wicket with a wrong un. From there on, it was all about formality for New Zealand as they went onto restrict Pakistan to 179 and take a 3-0 lead in the series.
20
overs
179/7score
W
1lb
2
1lb
0
1
runs
Mohammad Wasim*
1(3)
Shaheen Afridi
16(11)
Tim Southee
2/29
19.6 Tim Southee to Mohammad Wasim, very full on off and middle. Wasim punches it down to long on for a single. That will be that- New Zealand win this game and win the 5-match series 3-0!
19.5 Tim Southee to Mohammad Wasim, at a length outside off, moves away. Wasim swings hard at it but does not connect.
19.4 Tim Southee to Shaheen Afridi, fullish on off and middle, comes back in. Afridi works it towards midwicket off his pads and gets a leg bye.
19.3 Tim Southee to Shaheen Afridi, short of a length outside off, moves away. Afridi pulls it away towards deep midwicket for a couple of runs.
19.2 Tim Southee to Mohammad Wasim, at a length on off and middle, comes back in. Wasim swings hard at it but misses. A leg bye taken.
19.1 Tim Southee to Mohammad Nawaz, EDGED...AND TAKEN! At a length outside off, slower delivery. Nawaz swings hard at it and gets a faint nick through to the keeper Seifert. The ball dips on him but he manages to dive forward and complete it quite comfortably!
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University Oval, Dunedin
Mohammad Wasim
*
Tim Southee
Video
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