March 18, 2025 – New Zealand continued their unbeaten record in T20 International series against Pakistan with a commanding five-wicket victory at the University Oval, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The Black Caps chased down Pakistan’s modest total of 135/9 with 11 balls to spare, showcasing a balanced performance with both bat and ball.
Pakistan’s Struggle with the Bat
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, New Zealand’s bowlers set the tone early. Pakistan, despite a valiant effort, could only muster 135 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 15 overs. Salman Ali Agha top-scored with a gritty 46 off 28 balls, providing some stability to the innings. Shadab Khan contributed a quickfire 26 off 14, while Shaheen Afridi remained unbeaten on 22 off 14, adding some late flourish.
The New Zealand bowling attack was led by Jacob Duffy, who claimed 2 wickets for 20 runs, and Ben Sears, who finished with impressive figures of 2/23. Their disciplined bowling restricted Pakistan’s scoring.
New Zealand’s Clinical Chase
In response, New Zealand’s chase was anchored by a solid 45 off 22 balls from Tim Seifert, who set the platform for the victory. Finn Allen supported with a brisk 38 off 16, ensuring the Black Caps stayed ahead of the required run rate. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, New Zealand crossed the line comfortably at 137/5 in 13.1 overs.
Pakistan’s number one bowler Shahid Afridi was taken 4 sixes in an hour. He has been often called running spinner by netizens.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Haris Rauf (2/20) and Khushdil Shah (1/13), fought hard but couldn’t stem the flow of runs. The home side’s aggressive batting approach ultimately proved decisive.
The next match of the series is scheduled to take place soon, with both teams likely to make tactical adjustments. Cricket enthusiasts will be keenly watching to see if Pakistan can level the series or if New Zealand will extend their dominance.
All times are in India Standard Time.