DUNEDIN, New Zealand, March 18, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand’s openers displayed an explosive batting performance on Tuesday to crush Pakistan by five wickets and take a commanding 2-0 lead in their Twenty20 series.
The hosts chased down 136 with 11 balls to spare, posting a total of 137-5 in Dunedin. This victory leaves New Zealand in control of the five-match series after Pakistan managed to score 135-9 off 15 overs in the rain-impacted second game.
The standout moment for New Zealand was the stunning opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. In a remarkable display of power hitting, seven of the first eight scoring shots were sixes. Seifert faced a maiden delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over, but Allen wasted no time in clearing the short University Oval boundary three times in the second over bowled by Mohammad Ali. Seifert followed suit, launching four sixes in a destructive 26-run over off Afridi.
Seifert, who had scored 44 in the nine-wicket victory in Christchurch on Sunday, top-scored again with 45 from 22 balls before being dismissed. Allen fell shortly after for 38 off 16 balls, both openers having hammered five sixes apiece.
The chase saw a mid-innings wobble, as four wickets fell in the space of four overs. However, Mitch Hay’s unbeaten 21 steered the team to victory, ensuring the five-wicket win.
Earlier, Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha led from the front with a quick-fire 46 off 28 balls, guiding the team through a recovery after they were reduced to 19-2 in the fourth over. Shadab Khan was aggressive in the middle order, adding 26 from 14 balls, while Shaheen Shah Afridi remained not out on 22 off 14 balls.
Four New Zealand bowlers claimed two wickets each, with Ben Sears and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham both making notable contributions after being recalled in place of Tim Robinson and Kyle Jamieson.
New Zealand will now have the chance to seal the series with a victory in the third match in Auckland on Friday.
