Match Center

Right then, that is it from game 2 of the T20I series between these two. New Zealand have won the series 2-0 and we have only one more game coming up in this series. It will be a dead rubber, but for Pakistan, not so, as they will be playing for honour. The last game happens on Tuesday, 22 December 2020, at 1900 Local (0600 GMT). We do hope to have your company for the same. Until then, cheers and take care!

Tim Seifert is up for a chat with the on-air commentators. Says that it was nice to be alongside Kane. Adds that he was dictating to the bowlers, with the way he was trying to bat. Feels that it could have been finished off earlier, but is happy to finish it, nonetheless. Adds that Southee was rested in the last game and to come back and do what he did, was amazing. States that halfway through the 2nd over, it started swinging. On franchise cricket's role in shaping him, Tim says that it is 'big'. Feels that it is awesome to be involved in franchise cricket. On how he would feel if he were 99 not out (alluding to Mohammad Hafeez's score earlier), Seifert says that the last ball 6 from Hafeez was really good. Reckons that Hafeez played well today. Tim says that he did not do as well as he would have liked though. States that he did not want to repeat the mistakes that he did in the West Indies series earlier.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand's captain, jokingly adds that he has not had much sleep this week. States that he has had only a little bit of sleep. Adds that it is important to try and shift one's focus and play the role that the team requires. States that the Pakistani side are a fantastic side and reckons they can be very dangerous. Lauds Tim Seifert's knock and calls it 'fantastic'. Reckoned earlier that if the bowlers did well, they could go home, and that is what happened. Says that Pakistan have a very quality side, they did pull it back in between, for 5 overs or so. Looks forward to do well in the next game as well.

Shadab Khan, Pakistan's captain, admits that they did not get enough runs on the board. Adds that it is not about issues regarding technique and feels that his side's openers are young. They will learn over time and feels that conditions are not to be blamed. Hopes to take the positives from this game and looks to incorporate the same in the next game. Adds that he will do better in the next game as a senior player. Adds further that his side gets a big boost from the crowd.

Tim Southee (4/21) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that it is nice to get the job done tonight. Adds that he focused on bowling in the good areas and wanted to keep asking questions to the batters. States that it is good to bowl at Seddon Park. Adds that Pakistan are a quality side and would be disappointed that they lost this game, after taking it to the last over.

Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony as we hear from the two skippers and find out who our 'Man of the Match' is...

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, the Pakistan team were in trouble after Southee's opening spell. Hafeez though single handedly took the visitors to a total they could think of defending. It though proved to be an easy chase for the Kiwis courtesy a 129-run stand between Guptill and Seifert.

The Pakistan bowlers did not have a good outing with the ball! One can probably say they did not get the same amount of assistance the Kiwi bowlers got but still the lines and lengths were not that accurate. One can also say they were at least 15 runs short of the total they would have liked.

An easy win for the Kiwis! 164 was assumed to be a challenging total but the hosts have made a mockery of the run chase. The opening pair got them off to a decent start before Guptill fell. Williamson and Seifert then continued the good work. The two ensured there were no more wickets to fall and took their side home. Seifert was the mainstay and Williamson played as the perfect foil. An outstanding 100-plus run stand has given New Zealand a series win.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Kane finishes it. But not without a fright. Full and on the off pole line, Williamson swings it towards deep square leg. The fielder at deep mid-wicket runs to his right. It was a wonderful effort from Wahab Riaz, he gets his fingers on it but cannot hold on. The ball ends up going into the fence. THE KIWIS WIN BY 9 WICKETS AND SEAL THE T20I SERIES IN THEIR FAVOUR!

Short and well outside off, Kane comes down the track and looks to hammer it. Misses. 4 runs from 5 balls now. Ohh....

Short and well outside off, Tim jumps and looks to hit it over covers but he ends up missing it. Just 4 runs needed now, from the last over.

Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.

Short and outside off, Seifert strokes it to Hafeez at cover, who stops well. Just the single.

Full and outside off, Kane steers it to third man for a single.

Short ball, dragged down to long on for one. A mistimed pull shot there.

Short and outside off, nudged behind square on the off side, down to third man, for a single.