New Zealand’s fast bowlers dominated Pakistan in seamer-friendly conditions at Mount Maunganui, securing a commanding 115-run victory and sealing the series 3-1 with one game left to play. After successfully chasing 205 in Auckland to stay in contention, Pakistan crumbled on Sunday, bowled out for just 92 in 16.2 overs. New Zealand’s four-pronged pace attack took nine of the ten wickets, with Jacob Duffy inflicting major damage early on by claiming three powerplay scalps, leaving Pakistan in disarray.
Earlier, Finn Allen set the stage with a blistering 20-ball half-century, while key contributions from Tim Seifert and Michael Bracewell propelled New Zealand to a formidable 220 for 6. New Zealand’s aggressive intent was evident from the start as they stormed to 79 for 1 inside the powerplay. Though the scoring rate dipped in the middle overs, a late surge ensured another imposing 200-plus total, which proved insurmountable for the visitors.
Duffy and Foulkes Decimate Pakistan’s Batting Lineup
Pakistan’s response never gained momentum as New Zealand exploited the conditions expertly. Unlike their previous chase in Auckland, Pakistan failed to capitalize on any dew factor, struggling against the movement on offer. The innings began disastrously when Will O’Rourke, playing his first match of the series, breached Mohammed Haris’ defenses with a delivery that jagged back in sharply.
Duffy then piled on the pressure, dismissing Hasan Nawaz—Pakistan’s century-maker from the last game—along with captain Salman Agha in the second over. Zakary Foulkes, one of two new faces in the New Zealand XI, made an immediate impact, bowling Shadab Khan with a searing inswinger on his very first delivery.
From there, Pakistan’s collapse was rapid, losing eight wickets for just 56 runs. Abdul Samad (44 off 30) fought a lone battle, but by the halfway mark of the innings, the match was all but over. Duffy returned for his final over to finish with outstanding figures of 4 for 20, while Foulkes bagged three wickets. With 11 wickets in four matches, Duffy now leads the series wicket charts.
Seifert’s Explosive Start Powers New Zealand
Tim Seifert ensured a fiery beginning for New Zealand, dispatching Shaheen Afridi’s second ball for a straight four before launching Khushdil Shah over long-on in the following over. Abrar Ahmed’s first over turned costly as Seifert hammered him for 6, 4, and 6, taking 19 runs off the over. New Zealand raced to 50 inside 3.5 overs before Pakistan found some respite—Haris Rauf induced a miscued pull from Seifert, brilliantly caught by Khushdil Shah at deep midwicket. Despite the breakthrough, New Zealand still ended the powerplay at a scorching 79 for 1, marking the second-highest six-over total against Pakistan in men’s T20Is. Seifert’s contribution stood at a rapid 44 from 22 balls.
Pakistan Hits Back After Allen’s Rampage
Finn Allen took his time initially, scoring just eight off six balls before accelerating once the fielding restrictions eased. He took particular liking to Abrar, who conceded 35 runs in his first two overs, including a six and two boundaries. Allen’s real fireworks came against Shadab Khan in the 10th over, where he hammered two sixes and two fours in a brutal 23-run assault, reaching his fifty in just 19 balls. However, his innings ended the very next ball when Abbas Afridi induced a mistimed shot to mid-off.
Pakistan staged a mini-comeback, restricting boundaries for five consecutive overs and reducing New Zealand from 134 for 2 to 149 for 5.
Bracewell’s Late Surge Lifts New Zealand Beyond 200
Despite the slowdown, New Zealand finished with a flourish, racking up 63 runs in the final five overs. Daryl Mitchell made a steady 29 off 23 balls after a slow start, but it was Michael Bracewell’s late blitz that proved crucial. Coming in at No.7, he struck 46 off just 26 deliveries, hammering five boundaries and two sixes, including a monstrous 97-meter hit over fine leg off Shaheen Afridi in the 17th over.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, only Haris Rauf managed to keep things under control, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 27 from his four overs, while the rest struggled to contain New Zealand’s onslaught.
