Kyle Mills and Jimmy Neesham claimed three wickets apiece while Anton Devcich claimed two as Pakistan were bundled out for 127 in 18.5 overs while chasing 145 for win.
Just when it felt that Pakistan had hit a purple patch and found an answer to their batting woes at the top, following their authoritative seven-wicket victory in the first T20, their same old problem came to the fore in the series-deciding second match.
Pakistan’s batsmen weathered away once their top order failed to provide a solid start. The target was a par score on this ground and the Kiwi were all pumped up after they dismissed star of Thursday’s match, Sarfraz Ahmad, who was in blazing form during his unbeaten knock of 76, in the first over.
Ahmad was a touch unlucky as the ball hit him low on the pads and looked like going down leg side but the finger went up and Devcich got this first victim. Then Mohammad Hafeez (9) handed a return catch to Devcich while Haris Sohail fell prey to Matt Henry and Pakistan were quickly reduced to 24 for 3.
Ahmad Shehzad, having not played since suffering a minor skull fracture in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, contributed with 33 off 36 balls but Pakistan needed still another 71 from 36 deliveries with five wickets in hand. Skipper Shahid Afridi revived his team’s hopes playing his typical slam bam shots from ball one, hammering Daniel Vettori for a couple of sixes. However, with the wicket of Umar Akmal (4), bowled by Neesham, it was now left on the skipper to see their side home single-handedly. Pakistan needed 30 off 13 deliveries when Afridi smashed Neesham for a six over deep square leg to reduce the margin to 24 off 12. However, in the very next ball Neesham had his revenge by getting a nick of Afridi (28 off 11 balls) and Pakistan’s fate was sealed.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Afridi won the toss and had once again invited the Kiwis to bat, where they dominated less than 24 hours ago. The skipper opted for two changes – opener Awais Zia and pacer Mohammad Irfan made way for Shehzad and Umar Gul.
With the match played on the same wicket, it was clear that spin would play a major role. What hurt the visitors most was the absence of top scorer from the last match Corey Anderson, who was kept out as a precautionary measure, after he was hit on the helmet by an Irfan delivery during his knock of 48.
Nevertheless, both Kiwi openers Kane Williamson and Devcich negotiated the pacers well and put on a partnership of 49 for the first wicket. However, as soon as the Pakistan spinners took charge, the Kiwi batsmen simply danced to their tunes.
Hafeez sent Devcich (22) packing from a quicker one that skidded through to rattle the timber. Dean Brownlie’s stay at the wicket lasted just two deliveries as he was caught rooted in front of the crease to the trademark Afridi delivery pushed through fuller.
A pumped up Afridi then got through the defences of Kiwi skipper Williamson (32) in the next over to leave New Zealand reeling at 58 for 3. Then it was the young left-arm orthodox spin Raza Hasan's turn to get amongst the wickets – trapping Ross Taylor leg before with a fuller delivery.
Gul, included for his first match since April 2014 after recovering from a knee injury, then bagged the wickets of Tom Latham and Daniel Vettori to give enough evidence that he is in good shape. Sohail Tanvir then claimed the wickets of Luke Ronchi (31) and Nathan McCullum before the total reached 144 for 8 in 20 overs.[/img][/COLOR]
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