Finn Allen's explosive innings and Adam Milne's remarkable four-wicket haul propelled New Zealand to a comfortable 21-run victory over Pakistan, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
After an imposing performance in Auckland, New Zealand aimed for another substantial total with Finn Allen leading the charge. Allen's blistering 74 off 41 balls, supported by crucial partnerships with Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, put New Zealand in a commanding position. Despite the efforts of Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf, who helped Pakistan stage a comeback, Mitchell Santner's late cameo guided New Zealand to 194 for 8.
Finn Allen continued his excellent form, taking on the Pakistani bowlers with aggressive strokes. He unleashed an onslaught on Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, hitting boundaries and sixes with ease. Allen's dominance extended to spin as well, punishing Usama Mir with boundaries and a six. His 24-ball half-century set the stage for a formidable New Zealand total. However, Usama Mir had his revenge, dismissing Allen for 74, marking a notable breakthrough for Pakistan.
Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf emerged as the architects of Pakistan's fightback, striking at crucial junctures to peg back New Zealand. Rauf's triple-wicket over, including the dismissals of Phillips, Milne, and Sodhi, limited New Zealand's charge, restricting them to 194.
Chasing 195 for victory, Mohammad Rizwan provided a fiery start for Pakistan, hitting a six off the first ball. However, early strikes from Tim Southee and Adam Milne disrupted the opening partnership. Fakhar Zaman, benefiting from a dropped catch, played aggressively and notched a quick fifty, but his dismissal and Babar Azam's steady innings couldn't prevent Pakistan from falling behind the required run rate.
Adam Milne showcased his pace and precision, claiming crucial wickets to dent Pakistan's hopes. Ben Sears' impact with the ball, dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed, further contributed to New Zealand's control. Ish Sodhi accounted for Azam Khan and Aamer Jamal in quick succession, sealing Pakistan's fate.
As the required run rate soared, Sears, Sodhi, and Southee combined to dismantle Pakistan's middle order. Despite Babar Azam's resilient half-century, the mounting pressure resulted in his dismissal. Milne's two wickets in the penultimate over and Southee's final contributions ensured a comprehensive victory for New Zealand.
New Zealand's all-round performance, anchored by Finn Allen's explosive innings and Adam Milne's impactful bowling, secured a 2-0 lead in the T20I series. Pakistan, despite individual fifties from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, struggled to keep pace with the required run rate. The series now shifts to the next encounter with New Zealand in the driver's seat.
Result: New Zealand wins by 21 runs. Series Score: New Zealand 2 - 0 Pakistan.