New Zealand’s ruthless pace attack dismantled Pakistan to secure a dominant 115-run victory in the fourth T20 on Sunday, clinching the five-match series with a 3-1 lead.
Defending a strong total of 220-6 at Bay Oval, the Black Caps skittled Pakistan for just 105 in the 17th over, handing the visitors their heaviest T20 defeat by runs in history.
Seamer Jacob Duffy (4-20) and debutant Zak Foulkes (3-25) led the onslaught, tearing through Pakistan’s top order. The tourists were in tatters at 9-3 after two overs, with Duffy striking twice in his first over, both catches taken by wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay. His first scalp was Hasan Nawaz (1), who had smashed a century in the previous match.
At 56-8, Pakistan faced complete humiliation, but Abdul Samad’s 44 off 30 balls offered some resistance. Irfan Khan (24) was the only other batter to reach double digits.
The crushing loss surpassed Pakistan’s previous worst T20 defeat—a 95-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington in 2015.
Allen, Seifert Set the Tone
Earlier, Finn Allen (50 off 20 balls) gave New Zealand a flying start, smashing six fours and three sixes in a rapid opening stand of 59 with Tim Seifert (44 off 22).
Captain Michael Bracewell (46 off 26)* provided late fireworks, helping New Zealand post a daunting total. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf (3-27) was the pick of the bowlers.
This was New Zealand’s second-biggest T20 win by runs, just shy of their 119-run victory over West Indies in 2018, also at Bay Oval.
Decider in Wellington
With the series now sealed, New Zealand will look to finish strong in the final match in Wellington on Wednesday.
Teams:
🇳🇿 New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke
🇵🇰 Pakistan: Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
📌 Umpires: Chris Brown, Wayne Knights
📌 TV Umpire: Kim Cotton
📌 Match Referee: Jeff Crowe
