NZ vs PAK 2nd T20I Highlight| New Zealand Clinch Rain-Shortened Thriller Against Pakistan in 2nd T20I

New Zealand Clinch Rain-Shortened Thriller Against Pakistan in 2nd T20I

New Zealand continued their dominance in the Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025, securing a five-wicket victory in the 2nd T20I at the University Oval, Dunedin. With rain reducing the match to 15 overs per side, the game provided high-octane action as the hosts successfully chased down Pakistan’s 135/9 with 11 balls to spare.

Summary

New Zealand registered a five-wicket win over Pakistan in a rain-affected 15-over contest in Dunedin. Tim Seifert’s explosive 45 off 22 balls set the tone for a smooth chase after Pakistan posted 135/9. Finn Allen contributed 38 off 16 balls, while Pakistan’s Agha Salman top-scored with 46 off 28 balls. Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears led the bowling attack, ensuring New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the series.

Scorecard

Pakistan Innings: 135/9 in 15 overs

• Agha Salman 46 (28), Shadab Khan 26 (14), Shaheen Afridi 22 (14)

• Jacob Duffy 3-0-20-2, Ben Sears 3-0-23-2, Ish Sodhi 2-0-17-2

New Zealand Innings: 137/5 in 13.1 overs

• Tim Seifert 45 (22), Finn Allen 38 (16), Mitchell Hay 21* (16)

• Haris Rauf 3-0-20-2, Jahandad Khan 1.1-0-23-1, Khushdil Shah 3-0-16-1

Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets (DLS method, 15-over match)

Seifert’s Power-Packed Innings Sets Up Victory

Chasing a target of 136 runs, Tim Seifert played a match-winning innings, blasting 45 off just 22 balls with three boundaries and four sixes. His aggressive approach in the powerplay overs gave New Zealand the early momentum. Alongside Finn Allen, who scored a quick 38 off 16 balls, the duo ensured that New Zealand was well ahead of the required rate.

Seifert’s innings was cut short in the fifth over when he was caught off Mohammad Ali’s bowling, but his explosive start laid a solid foundation for the chase.

Pakistan’s Fightback with the Ball

After the opening partnership was broken at 66 runs, Pakistan’s bowlers managed to strike at regular intervals. Jahandad Khan trapped Finn Allen lbw, and Khushdil Shah sent Mark Chapman back for just 1 run. Haris Rauf added pressure with two crucial wickets, dismissing James Neesham (5) and Daryl Mitchell (14).

However, Mitchell Hay (21 not out) and captain Michael Bracewell (5 not out) held their nerve to finish the chase in 13.1 overs, ensuring that New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan’s Innings: Agha Salman Leads the Way

Earlier in the match, Pakistan struggled to build momentum after being put in to bat first. The top order faltered under New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. Hasan Nawaz departed for a golden duck, and Mohammad Haris followed soon after, scoring 11 off 10 balls.

Pakistan’s stand-in captain Agha Salman played a valiant knock of 46 off 28 balls, anchoring the innings despite wickets tumbling around him. His efforts were supported by Shadab Khan (26 off 14 balls) and a late flourish from Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14 balls), which pushed Pakistan to a respectable 135/9 in their allotted 15 overs.

New Zealand’s Bowling Prowess

New Zealand’s bowlers were clinical throughout Pakistan’s innings. Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears inflicted early damage, picking up two wickets each. Ish Sodhi and James Neesham also contributed with crucial breakthroughs, restricting Pakistan’s middle order.

Despite a brief fightback from Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan couldn’t post a commanding total. Their total of 135/9 proved insufficient against New Zealand’s power-packed batting unit.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• Tim Seifert’s explosive 45 off 22 balls set the tone for New Zealand’s chase.

• Finn Allen’s 38 off 16 balls provided an early boost in the powerplay.

• Agha Salman’s 46 off 28 balls was the lone standout performance for Pakistan.

• New Zealand’s bowlers kept Pakistan in check, with Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears picking two wickets each.

• Rain reduced the game to 15 overs per side, making the contest more thrilling.

What’s Next

With a 2-0 lead in the series, New Zealand will look to seal the series in the upcoming matches, while Pakistan will aim to bounce back and stay alive in the contest. The next T20I promises to be another exciting battle as both teams continue to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

The win in Dunedin further strengthens New Zealand’s home dominance, with their aggressive brand of cricket proving too strong for Pakistan once again. As the series progresses, Pakistan will need their top-order batters to fire if they want to pose a serious challenge to the Black Caps.

New Zealand and Pakistan will meet again in the third T20I, where the visitors will hope to turn things around and keep the series alive.