Tim Seifert played a brilliant knock of 97 not out, which helped New Zealand beat Pakistan in the fifth and final T20I match of the bilateral series held at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. (Highlights | More Cricket News)
New Zealand won the match by eight wickets and also sealed the series 4-1 with this thumping win.
New Zealand Vs Pakistan 5th T20I Toss Update
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell won the toss and opted to field first.
New Zealand Vs Pakistan 5th T20I - Playing XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris(w), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha(c), Omair Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O'Rourke
Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz came to open the batting for Pakistan, but Jacob Duffy dismissed Nawaz in the second over to break the opening partnership early.
Captain Salman Ali Agha came at number four and hit 51 crucial runs to take the Pakistan innings forward. He added 54 runs for the sixth wicket with Shadab Khan (28). Ali Agha hit six fours and the only six of Pakistan's innings. Haris (11) was the third batter from Pakistan to score in double digits. Pakistan could only make 128 runs in 20 overs.
James Neesham picked up five wickets, whereas Duffy took a brace of wickets in the match. Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears also took one wicket each.
In response, New Zealand opener batters Tim Seifert and Finn Allen went berserk from the word go. They collected 18 runs from the first over, then 14 in the next. They won the match in just 10 overs.
Seifert made 97 not out off just 38 balls, which included six fours and 10 sixes. Allen also made 27 runs off just 12 balls, which included five fours and one six.
Seifert was named Player of the Series, whereas James Neesham was awarded Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.
Now, New Zealand will host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series starting on Saturday, 29 March at the McLean Park in Napier.
