Srinagar: Hosts New Zealand delivered a total clinical performance to crush Pakistan by 115 runs in the fourth T20I to seal series by 3-1 at Bay Oval on Sunday with one match still pending.
Chasing a total of 221, Pakistan collapsed, getting bowled out for only 105 runs.
Pakistan team encountered early difficulties, losing their top three batters within just two overs. Openers Mohammad Haris (2), Hasan Nawaz (1), and skipper Salman Ali Agha (1) were dismissed in quick succession.
After this shaky start, the Pakistan team struggled to recover in their chase.
Their vice-captain, Shadab Khan, fell for a mere one run in the fourth over, leaving the team in deep trouble with a score of 26-4 after just 4.1 overs.
Pakistan lost wickets regularly against a well-disciplined New Zealand bowling attack and were ultimately bowled out for a modest total in 16.2 overs.
The only bright spot in an otherwise poor batting performance was Abdul Samad, who scored 44 off 30 deliveries, an innings that included two sixes and four fours.
For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler, taking four wickets in his four overs, while Zakary Foulkes provided strong support, claiming three wickets of his own.
Earlier, after being invited to bat first, New Zealand posted a mammoth 221-run target in 20 overs.
The Kiwi openers provided a blazing start, scoring 59 runs in just 4.1 overs. Tim Seifert scored a fiery 44 off 22 balls, smashing four sixes and three fours.
Following the wicket, Finn Allen and Mark Chapman continued the charge. Allen scored a quick-fire 50 off 20 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.
At one stage, New Zealand were 134-3 in 10.1 overs, but the Pakistan team fought back to restrict them to 220-6, thanks to some good bowling from Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed in the last overs.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in his four overs, while Abrar Ahmed chipped in with his two wickets.
