Black Caps romp to series win over Pakistan

The Black Caps have claimed the T20 series against Pakistan after a dominant all-round display in the fourth match on Sunday night.

Batting first at Bay Oval, the hosts racked up an imposing 220-6 from their 20 overs before tearing through the tourists to secure a 115-run victory.

The winning margin was the Black Caps’ second-largest in the 20-year history of the shortest format, trailing a 119-run triumph over the West Indies at the same venue in 2018.

Spinner Ish Sodhi was the only survivor from that team, with both squads in this series seriously diminished. New Zealand are missing a host of frontline players through IPL commitments but Michael Bracewell’s side showed the evident depth in this country’s ranks.

Recalling a couple of castaways certainly helped with the batting, as Finn Allen and Tim Seifert continued to feast on the Pakistani bowlers.

Both openers turned down central contracts last year in favour of the franchise circuit and both illustrated why their services would be in demand around the world.

Seifert made another rapid start while monopolising the strike and collecting runs in boundaries, smacking four sixes before being dismissed for 44 from 22 balls.

Allen then took over and followed his partner’s lead, reaching his half-century from only 19 deliveries as the Black Caps raced to 134-2 at the halfway mark.

Seeming set to challenge for a record score, three quick wickets somewhat halted the home side’s charge, falling to 149-5 before Bracewell (46no off 26) ensured the innings would finish on a high.

The final tally was New Zealand’s eighth-highest in T20 cricket and, thanks to their pace trio, would prove to be more than enough.

Jacob Duffy (4-20) and Will O’Rourke (1-29) all but ended the chances of a successful chase inside the first two overs, reducing the tourists 9-3 while dismissing Hasan Nawaz – a centurion in Friday night’s win at Eden Park – for one.

Zak Foulkes (3-25) then got in on the action as nine Pakistani batters were dismissed for single figures, eventually bowled out for 105 in the 17th over.

Following victories by nine and five wickets in the series’ first two matches, the comprehensive result ensured Wednesday night’s finale in Wellington would be a dead rubber.

The two teams will then play a three-match ODI series starting in Napier on Saturday.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission