2nd T20I: New Zealand thrash Pakistan in rain-curtailed affair
What's the story
New Zealand have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan after winning the second match in Dunedin. The hosts displayed exceptional powerplay performances, both with bat and ball, to seal this win. Tim Seifert scored a quickfire 22-ball 45, helping his side accomplish the 136-run target in the rain-curtailed affair. Despite a resilient batting effort from Salman Agha, Pakistan couldn't match New Zealand's dominance.
Bowling prowess
New Zealand's bowlers dominate Pakistan's batting lineup
The match witnessed a stellar performance from New Zealand's Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, and Ish Sodhi, who dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup early on. The trio dismissed two batters each. Their combined efforts forced the visitors to settle for a modest total of 135/9 in a rain-shortened contest limited to 15 overs per side. Shaheen Afridi (22), skipper Salman (46), and Shadab Khan (26) made vital contributions for the visitors.
Chase success
New Zealand's openers lead successful chase
New Zealand's openers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, were instrumental in the team's successful chase of the target. Seifert smashed 45 runs off just 22 balls while Allen chipped in with a brilliant 38 runs from just 16 deliveries. Their partnership proved crucial in getting to the target quickly, as they added a quickfire 66 runs in just 28 deliveries.
Individual brilliance
Pakistan's Agha shines despite team's defeat
Despite the team's overall defeat, Salman stood out for Pakistan with his impressive score of 46 off 28 balls. His performance, along with economical spells from Khushdil Shah (1/16 from 3 overs) and Haris Rauf (2/20 from 3 overs) were the few highlights for the visiting side in this match. However, these efforts were not enough to secure a win against New Zealand who outperformed them once again.
Onslaught
Seifert's 6-hitting spree against Afridi
The opening over of the NZ innings saw Shaheen Afridi deliver six consecutive dot balls to Seifert. However, the latter's aggressive batting was on display in Afridi's second over. The New Zealand opener smashed two massive sixes off the first two deliveries, two runs on the fourth ball. He finished this high-scoring over with two more sixes off the last deliveries, fetching 26 runs for NZ from that over alone.
Stats
Another match-winning knock from Seifert
This was Seifert's second successive match-winning 40-plus score against Pakistan. He was the architect of his team's win in the opening game as well, scoring 44 runs off 29 balls. In a career spanning over six years, he has raced to 1,380 T20I runs at an average of 26.03 (SR: 136.76), as per ESPNcricinfo. The tally includes nine fifties. 419 of his runs have come against Pakistan at 29.92.
DYK
Rauf goes past Afridi
Rauf, who took two wickets in the game, displaced his teammate Afridi as the highest wicket-taker vs NZ in T20Is. The former has now raced to 34 wickets in 17 games against them at an economy rate of 8.35. Afridi owns 33 wickets against the Kiwis. Three of Rauf's four four-fers in T20Is have been recorded against the Kiwis. He has now raced to 112 wickets in 80 T20Is (ER: 8.23).
Series update
Next match to be held in Auckland
The second T20I victory has put New Zealand in a strong position as they gear up for their next match against Pakistan, on March 21. The series now moves to Auckland where the visitors are just one defeat away from losing the series. This upcoming match will be crucial for Pakistan as they look to stay in contention and avoid an early series loss.