NZ v Pak 3rd T20I Review: New Zealand takes the series with a thumping win

With the series tied 1-1, Pakistan chose to bowl against New Zealand in the deciding third T20 at the Westpac Stadium which turned out to be a horrendous decision. Pakistan’s inability in a run-chase was once again to the fore as the team was beaten fair and square by the home side.

Pakistan made two changes to their side, with Sohaib Maqsood making way for Mohammad Rizwan in the middle order and Anwar Ali replacing Umar Gul in the pace attack. New Zealand made one change, leaving out the leg-spin of Todd Astle and bringing in the left-arm pace of Trent Boult.

The visitors had batted first both in Auckland, where they successfully defended 171, and in Hamilton, where New Zealand gunned down a target of 169 with all their wickets in hand and 14 balls to spare. The final T20I though turned out to be a one-sided contest. The Kiwis hammered 195/5 and in reply, in a poor overall display, the Asian side was bundled out in 16.1 overs.

The Kiwis got off to a flyer as Matin Guptill ran riot. He hammered 2 sixes and 6 fours in a knock of 42 off 19 before becoming skipper Shahid Afridi’s lone wicket of the day. Colin Munro was soon run out for 4 leaving his team at 62/2 in 6.5 overs. The New Zealand skipper Williamson made 33 off 34 before he holed out to Shoaib Malik at long-on off Wahab Riaz.

The man who played the innings of the match was undoubtedly Corey Anderson. The powerful left-hander hammered an unbeaten 82 off 42 balls including 4 huge sixes and 6 fours. His knock deflated the Pakistani bowlers to no end as it helped the hosts post a huge total. Afridi was economical in his 4-over spell of 1/27 while Wahab picked up 2 wickets but conceded above 10 as did Imad Wasim and Anwar Ali. Mohammad Amir gave 35 off his 4 overs while Malik’s solitary over went for 16.

A good start is critical in a chase of such magnitude, and Pakistan did not make one. Failing to get on top of a short ball from Trent Boult, Mohammad Hafeez sliced a high catch into the point region. In the next over, Ahmed Shehzad picked out deep square leg while looking to pull Anderson, before Mohammad Rizwan ran himself out hurtling needlessly from his crease. Shoaib Malik struck three sweetly timed fours off Boult, but the required rate brought out a miscued slog in the next over; Anderson had his second, and New Zealand were firmly in control of the match as the visitors had slid to 36/4.

Wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed made 41 off 35 including 5 fours and his was the only notable contribution in a dismal looking scorecard. While Anderson took 2/17 in his 3 overs, the other impressive bowlers were Adam Milne with 3/8 from 3.1 and Grant Elliot with 3/7 from just 2 overs. A total of 101 didn’t do justice to the confidence with which Pakistan had chosen to bat second in the all-important match.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand:  196/5 in 20 overs (C Anderson 82*; W Riaz 2/43)

Pakistan:  101 in 16.1 overs (S Ahmed 41; G Elliot 3/7, A Milne 3/8)

Man of the Match: Corey Anderson (NZ)