Pakistan faced another disheartening loss in the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday.
Despite New Zealand stumbling to 20-3 in the third over of the run-chase, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell formed a match-winning partnership, contributing 139 runs in 93 balls to lead their side to victory with 11 balls to spare. Both players secured half-centuries.
In the earlier innings, Mohammad Rizwan played a brilliant knock of an unbeaten 90 runs, setting a target of 159 runs for New Zealand in the fourth T20I of the series. Rizwan’s innings comprised six fours and two sixes, and Mohammad Nawaz’s quick-fire 21 runs in nine balls, including three consecutive sixes off pacer Adam Milne in the penultimate over, added impetus to Pakistan’s innings.
Babar Azam contributed 19 runs in 11 balls, forming a partnership of 51 runs in 31 balls for the second wicket with Rizwan. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry took two wickets each for the home side.
In the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the fourth T20I. Pakistan made one change, bringing in Sahibzada Farhan to replace Azam Khan in the lineup.
Devon Conway, the New Zealand opener, was ruled out just hours before the match due to a positive Covid-19 test. Canterbury Kings batter Chad Bowes joined the squad as cover for Conway. Bowling coach Andre Adams also tested positive for COVID-19, and spinner Mitch Santner missed the series opener for the same reason. Adam Milne played his 50th T20 international, replacing Ish Sodhi, and Will Young replaced Conway.
Lineups:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Matthew Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson