Pakistan beat New Zealand in 5th T20I, but lose series 4-1
In the final Twenty20 international on Sunday, Pakistan's spinners orchestrated a consolation 42-run victory over New Zealand, preventing a series clean sweep despite losing 4-1. The tourists defended their total of 134 for 8, with part-time offspinner Iftikhar Ahmed delivering a career-best performance with figures of 3 for 24. The New Zealand batting lineup, weakened by the absence of key players like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell, struggled against the turning ball. Only Finn Allen (22) and Glenn Phillips (26) managed to score more than 20 runs, as Pakistan's bowlers showcased their best performance of the series by taking the last eight wickets for just 39 runs.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2 for 18) made early breakthroughs by dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Will Young, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed with figures of 2 for 20, concluding his maiden series as captain.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand seemed on track for a clean sweep as their disciplined bowling, led by seamers Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson, along with spinner Ish Sodhi, restricted Pakistan's batters. Southee, the highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, took crucial wickets in the opening over and later dismissed the dangerous Fakhar Zaman in the 13th over.
Despite a promising start from debutant Haseebullah Khan and a quickfire 33 off 16 balls by Zaman, Pakistan's top-scorer Mohammad Rizwan (38 off 38) could only take his team to the lowest first-innings total in the series.
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