Mohammad Nawaz struck an unbeaten 38 from 22 balls to lift Pakistan to a five-wicket win over New Zealand with three balls remaining in the final of the New Zealand Twenty20 Tri-Series.
After his 45 from 20 balls in Pakistan’s seven-wicket win over Bangladesh a day earlier, Nawaz established himself as key member of the Pakistan middle order heading into the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
The final see-sawed through both innings: New Zealand was on target for a more substantial score before faltering against Pakistan’s late bowling and finishing with 163-7. Pakistan made a solid start, then also wavered at times before Nawaz provided the final impetus for the win.
He found a dependable partner in Iftikhar Ahmed, who made 25 from 14 balls in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 36.
He found a dependable partner in Iftikhar Ahmed, who made 25 from 14 balls in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 36.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a timely return to form with an innings of 59 from 38 balls. Williamson recently has been struggling for form while battling a chronic elbow injury. His previous best score in the series had been 31 in New Zealand’s first match against Pakistan and it had been seven innings since he last passed 50.
New Zealand played without some front-line players including express pace bowler Lockie Ferguson and allrounders Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell.
“It was a great game of cricket,” Williamson said. “Pakistan are a very good side and credit for the way they turned momentum. You always want 20 more runs but I thought the total was competitive. The wicket was on the lower side and the wind was strong on the longer side of the ground but again credit for the way the Pakistan came out and changed momentum.” (Agnecies)
