Allen and Seifert Power New Zealand to 2-0 Series Lead Against Pakistan

New Zealand secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in Dunedin. The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to rain, but New Zealand dominated both with the ball and the bat.

Pakistan, batting first, struggled after losing early wickets. Jacob Duffy dismissed Hasan Nawaz in the first over, while Ben Sears removed Mohammad Haris for 11. Ish Sodhi’s double strike in the sixth over further derailed Pakistan, as he removed Irfan Khan and trapped Khushdil Shah lbw. Captain Salman Agha counterattacked with a 28-ball 46, but Pakistan lost momentum after he fell to Sears. Late cameos from Shadab Khan (26 off 14) and Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14) helped Pakistan post 135 for 9. James Neesham, returning to T20Is after nine months, took 2 for 26.

Chasing 136, New Zealand’s openers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, made light work of the target. After a maiden over from Shaheen, Allen launched three sixes off Mohammad Ali in the second over, while Seifert smashed four sixes off Shaheen in the next. The pair added 66 in just 28 balls. Seifert’s 22-ball 45 ended when he miscued Ali’s slower ball to mid-on. Allen continued his assault, hitting consecutive sixes off Jahandad Khan before falling lbw for 38 off 16.

Despite losing Mark Chapman and Neesham cheaply, Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 21 off 16 ensured New Zealand chased down the target with 11 balls to spare. Haris Rauf, who replaced spinner Abrar Ahmed, took 2 for 20 but couldn’t prevent New Zealand’s commanding win.

Pakistan captain Agha acknowledged the improved effort but stressed the need for consistency in powerplay bowling and better finishing with the bat. The teams now move to Auckland, with Pakistan needing a win to keep the series alive.