Mohammad Hafeez's blitzy knock goes in vain as clinical New Zealand win the series
Tim Seifert ©Getty Images
New Zealand showed their sheer dominance with another all-round performance in the second T20I of the three-match series and registered a convincing win by 9 wickets against Pakistan at Seddon Park, on Sunday (December 20). Mohammad Hafeez's swashbuckling knock went in vain Tim Southee claimed four wickets and later half-centuries by Tim Seifert and Kane Williamson sealed the deal.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. However, their decision soon backfired as both Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique got out in the second over within a span of 2 balls, courtesy Tim Southee. While Haider Ali hit straight to Kane Williamson at the mid-off region, Abdullah Shafique gave an easy return catch to the bowler before Tim Seifert' brilliant work behind the stump sent Mohammad Rizwan in for 22 and left his side struggling at 33 for 3 inside the powerplay
The pressure fell upon the middle but Shadab Khan couldn't handle it as he got out after trying to go for a pull shot but got the top edge which Southee grabbed at short mid-wicket region and Pakistan were reduced to 56 for 4.
However, experienced Mohammad Hafeez stood strong at one end. He brilliantly used small boundaries by finding gaps. His sudden change in the game ensured that Pakistan's innings didn't end abruptly as he resurrected the innings with Khushdil Shah.
They put up a half-century partnership for the fifth wicket where Hafeez took the charge. He hit consecutive sixes and picked up 17 runs off the 15th over off Scott Kuggeleijn. After getting lives twice, he steered his knock until the end, remained unbeaten at 99 off 57 with 5 sixes and 10 fours.
His onslaught took the total to 163 for 6 on the board whereas Southee claimed 4 wickets in his 4-over spell, conceding 21 runs.
While chasing, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert got off to a flying start. However, Guptill fell after scoring a quickfire 11-ball 21 with a four and 2 sixes. His dismissal brought the captain Kane Williamson in the middle.
On the other hand, Tim Seifert once again showed his calibre and smashed his second consecutive half-century to ensure New Zealand didn't have any hiccups while chasing. He took on Wahab Riaz for three sixes in the seventh over and eventually finished at 84* with three sixes and 8 fours in his 63-ball knock.
While he took the charge, Williamson too backed him well, stitching an unbeaten 129-run partnership. He also scored a fifty, remained unbeaten at 57 off 42 with 8 fours and a six. Their stand ensured New Zealand chased down the total with ease and the reached the target with four balls the spare. With this, they clinched the series as well with one game in hand.
