NZ vs PAK 2025, 2nd T20I Review: Bowlers and openers bag comfortable win for NZ

On Tuesday, March 18, the 2nd T20I of the five-match series between Pakistan and NZ took place at the University Oval in Dunedin. Similar to the women’s match that took place prior to this event, the rain had an impact on this match as well. A number of inspections and delays led to the contest being shortened to 15 overs per side.

NZ chose to field first after winning the toss.

In the opening over, Hasan Nawaz was out for a three-ball duck, giving the visitors a rocky start. Even while the first match may have brought back memories, today was not going to be another lightning strike. With just two wickets lost for 19 runs at the beginning of the third over, Pakistan managed to survive the opening two overs this time. The innings was then stabilized by Irfan Khan and captain Salman Ali Agha working together. Irfan Khan (11 off 9) was removed by Ish Sodhi after they had contributed 31 runs off 21 balls.

This time, Khushdil Shah (2 off 2) did not succeed. Shadab Khan and Agha then worked together to save the innings. However, following a brief partnership in which Ben Sears scored 46 off 28 balls, the skipper returned to the pavilion. Before Shadab was dismissed for 26 off 14 balls, he and Abdul Samad had taken the total over 100.

Start-stop-start was the pattern of the Pakistani innings. Shaheen Afridi added a lift at the end by scoring 22* off 14 balls, continuing that theme. After their allotted 15 overs, the visitors finished the innings at 135/9. Sears, Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, and James Neesham all claimed two wickets for New Zealand.

In response, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, the Kiwi opening duo, were eager to end the match. With three sixes in the over, Allen launched the assault on Mohammed Ali after Shaheen bowled a maiden in the opening over. Seifert’s chance came in the following over to make up for the maiden over he had played. He scored 26 runs by smashing Shaheen for four sixes. At the end of the third over, New Zealand was 44/0.

The pair kept playing like that until Ali ousted Seifert (45 off 22). The 66-run opening partnership laid the groundwork for the hitters to follow, leading the team to a decisive victory, but Pakistan slightly slowed the pace. The following two overs saw the loss of three wickets. Neesham (5 off 4), Mark Chapman (1 off 6), and Allen (38 off 16) were the next to do so.

A total of 35 off 26 balls was scored by Mitchell Hay (21* off 16) and Daryl Mitchell (14 off 14). Ultimately, New Zealand prevailed by 11 balls remaining and five wickets. Haris Rauf was the top bowler for Pakistan, scoring 2/20 from three overs. With one wicket each, Ali, Shah, and Jahandad Khan were the other wicket-takers.

On Friday, March 21, the teams will play the third Twenty20 International in Auckland, where New Zealand leads the series 2-0.