By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Mar 23, 2025 11:19 AM • 164 views
Mount Maunganui: New Zealand have emphatically sealed the T20I series against Pakistan, cruising to a dominant 115-run win in the fourth match at Bay Oval on Sunday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match contest.
The Black Caps, led by a blistering batting performance and a clinical bowling display, showcased their dominance in front of the home crowd, leaving Pakistan with plenty to ponder heading into the final fixture.
Batting first after being sent in, New Zealand piled on a formidable 220/6 in their 20 overs. Opener Finn Allen lit up the innings with a scintillating 50 off just 20 deliveries, smashing six boundaries and clearing the ropes thrice. He was well-supported by Tim Seifert's fluent 44 and a composed unbeaten 46 from skipper Michael Bracewell. Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (29) and Mark Chapman (24) ensured New Zealand kept the momentum going throughout the innings.
Seifert and Allen laid a solid foundation with a 59-run opening stand, while Bracewell and Mitchell added 56 for the fifth wicket, steering the hosts to a commanding total. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with 3/38, while Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two scalps and Abbas Afridi claimed one.
In response, Pakistan's chase unravelled rapidly under scoreboard pressure. Bowled out for just 105 in 16.2 overs, the visitors never found their footing. Apart from Abdul Samad's fighting 44* and a brief 24-run effort from Irfan Khan, the rest of the batting lineup collapsed without resistance — no other batter managed to cross double digits.
The Kiwi bowlers ran riot, with Jacob Duffy leading the charge with figures of 4/28. Zachary Foulkes impressed with three wickets, while Will O'Rourke, Jimmy Neesham, and Ish Sodhi shared a wicket apiece.
New Zealand's comprehensive victory followed earlier wins by eight and five wickets in the opening two games, while Pakistan had pulled one back with a nine-wicket triumph in the third match.
The fifth and final T20I will be played on Wednesday, where Pakistan will look to salvage some pride while the hosts aim to close out the series in style.
