Defending six off the final ball to secure a four-run victory for New Zealand against Pakistan in the fourth Twenty20 international on Thursday in Lahore, veteran all-rounder Jimmy Neesham maintained his composure.
Despite being hammered for a boundary off the first delivery, Neesham came out in brilliant form, giving the crowded Gaddafi Stadium audience heartbreaks. Pakistan needed 18 off the final over in their chase of 179.
After Tim Robinson, the opener, scored his first half-century, New Zealand reached 178-7 in 20 overs. William O’Rourke, the bowler, then collected 3-27 to restrict Pakistan to 174-8.
The final game of the five-match series was played on Saturday in Lahore, and New Zealand claimed an unassailable 2-1 lead thanks to a last-ball single from returning all-rounder Imad Wasim (22 not out).
All three matches took place in Rawalpindi. Pakistan won the first by the same margin but lost the second by seven wickets. The first match was called off after just two balls.
A fully-formed Pakistani team is taken aback by the losses as they gear up for the Twenty20 World Cup, which takes place in the United States and the West Indies in June.
With so many players missing from the Indian Premier League, injuries, and general unavailability, New Zealand may be happy with their bench strength heading into the World Cup.
Pakistan felt they had a chance when Fakhar Zaman, scoring 61 runs off 45 balls with three sixes and four boundaries, helped the team overcome 79-4 through a fifth-wicket stand of 59 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed scoring 23 off 20 balls.
However, in just his fourth Twenty20 International, O’Rourke got rid of Ahmed in addition to taking five wickets from Babar Azam and twenty from Saim Ayub, giving New Zealand a lift. Zaman’s wicket was taken by fellow bowler Ben Sears (2-27) with 33 needed from 14 balls.
Robinson batted with aggression earlier.
After being brought in to bat, New Zealand reached 93-1 in 10 overs because to Robinson’s 36-ball 51 that included two sixes and four fours. However, Abbas Afridi’s career-best 3-20 assisted Pakistan in rallying.
With Robinson making 28 off 15 and Tom Blundell making 56 for the first partnership in five overs, New Zealand got off to a quick start.
However, Pakistan’s fielders kept catches to support some excellent bowling by Abbas, and from 94-1 New Zealand lost three wickets, including that of dangerman Mark Chapman for eight.
New Zealand managed 43 in the final five overs, but Dean Foxcroft chipped in with 34 from 26 deliveries and captain Michael Bracewell added 27 to keep the scoreboard moving.
Due to injuries to Muhammad Irfan Khan, the wicketkeeper-battler, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan was forced to make five changes, resting Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
