New Zealand registered a commanding five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I of the five-game series at Dunedin, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. After a rain-shortened 15-over match, Pakistan posted 135/9, with captain Salman Ali Agha‘s 46 (28) being the standout performance. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Jacob Duffy (2/20) and Ish Sodhi (2/17), restricted Pakistan despite late hitting from Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14). In response, Tim Seifert’s explosive 45 off 22 balls set the platform, as New Zealand chased the target in 13.1 overs. Seifert was named Player of the Match for his aggressive batting display.
Pakistan struggle to build momentum despite Salman Ali Agha’s heroics
After losing the toss, Pakistan was put in to bat on a damp surface, and their innings got off to a disastrous start. Hasan Nawaz fell for a duck in the first over, while Mohammad Haris (11 off 10) followed soon after, reducing Pakistan to 19/2 in 3.1 overs. Salman, leading the side, played a captain’s knock, smashing 46 off 28 balls, including four fours and three sixes, to revive the innings. However, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2) fell cheaply, while Shadab Khan provided a late surge with a quickfire 26 off 14 balls, striking at 185.71.
The last few overs saw Shaheen’s unbeaten 22 off 14, helping Pakistan cross 135/9 in 15 overs. New Zealand’s bowling was disciplined, with Jacob Duffy (2/20), Ben Sears (2/23) and Ish Sodhi (2/17) keeping Pakistan in check. Jimmy Neesham’s (2/26) all-round effort further dented Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.
Also WATCH: Mark Chapman takes a sharp running catch to dismiss Salman Agha in NZ vs PAK 2nd T20I
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen’s powerplay assault seals the win for New Zealand
New Zealand’s chase started explosively, with Seifert and Finn Allen launching a brutal attack on Pakistan’s bowlers. The duo scored 66 runs inside the first five overs, with Seifert smashing 45 off just 22 balls, featuring three fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 204.54. Allen was equally destructive, blasting 38 off 16 balls with five sixes, before being trapped lbw by Jahandad Khan.
Despite a minor middle-order stutter, with Mark Chapman (1), Daryl Mitchell (14) and Neesham (5) falling quickly, wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay (21 not out off 16) guided New Zealand home. Michael Bracewell (5 not out off 2) finished the chase in style, as New Zealand reached 137/5 in 13.1 overs, winning with 11 balls to spare. Haris Rauf (2/20) was Pakistan’s best bowler, while Shaheen, Mohammad Ali and Khushdil Shah picked up a wicket each. With this win, New Zealand now leads the series 2-0, putting Pakistan under pressure to bounce back in the remaining three matches.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Perhaps nothing accurately summarises Shaheen Shah Afridi more than bowling a maiden and then going for 26 in his next over.#NZvPAK
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) March 18, 2025
The only two major international cricket venues I haven’t been to in NZ are Nelson and Dunedin..and Dunedin looked fabulous on TV..not so good for Pakistan though..NZ showing off their strength in depth in another easy win..#NZvPAK
— Hemant (@hemantbuch) March 18, 2025
Seemed like a decent total set by Pakistan with the required run rate of 9+.
Our bowlers could have managed well but gave away a bit too many runs in the process. #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/yHGtDmSA2B
— Ameer Hamza Asif (@AmeerHamzaAsif) March 18, 2025
True Pakistan cricket fans know that batting has never been the strength of PCT. We’ve won matches and tournaments through exceptional bowling. The recent decline of Pakistan cricket is due to the poor quality of our bowling attack. #PAKvNZ #NZvPAK
— Junaid Akhtar (@Junaid_sayzz) March 18, 2025
I’ll predict the series right now Pakistan loosing this series 5-0 #NZvPAK
— Mustafa Saleem (@Callmemustafa_) March 18, 2025
NZ go 2-0 up with a 5 wicket win!
Troubling times for Pakistan!#NZvPAK
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 18, 2025
No way Tim Seifert turned Shaheen Afridi into a bowling machine, launching four sixes in one over like it was a video game on easy mode!
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) March 18, 2025
New Zealand win the second T20I of the five-match series by 5 wickets.#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/XyND2MaDc1
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 18, 2025
The way Pakistan is performing, they should schedule a series with Zimbabwe to boost their records and the stats of their ‘King’.#NZvPAK #king #PakistanCricket
— Nobita Gupta (@Nobiita52) March 18, 2025
Player of the match: Tim Seifert 🥇
Runs: 45
Balls: 22
Strike rate: 204.5
4s/6s: 3/5#cricket #NZvPAK #TimSeifert #newzealandcricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/IAf2yERvqU— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 18, 2025
Also READ: Top 5 lowest totals for Pakistan in T20Is
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