Pakistan beat New Zealand by 18 runs to seal T20 series 2-1

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Batting first, Green Shirts fired in unison to rattle up a challenging 181 for six against New Zealand in third and final of T20 International (T20I) match on Sunday at Bay Oval here. 

Pakistani bowlers restricted the hosting team to 163-6, helping the visiting team to win the three-match T20 series 2-1. The triumph also guided Pakistan to clinch number one spot in the T20I ratings, replacing the Kiwis, after their second consecutive win.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan dismissed opener Martin Guptill and Anaru Kitchen with impressive figures of 2-19 in his 4-over spell. Pacers took one wicket each.

Earlier, Fakhar Zaman scored 46 runs off 36 balls with five fours and one six in a fashionable way.

Following his dismissal, Haris Sohail, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Amin helped the team putting up a competitive 181 runs on board.

Sarfraz scored 29, while Haris and Umar Amin scored 20 and 21 respectively.

The Black Caps dropped wicket-keeper Glenn Phillips and called in Tom Blunde to replace him for the T20 series decider.

Pakistan won by 18 runs. Full Scorecard https://t.co/wUfwtUf3qV#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/W9yGuk5NbY

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) January 28, 2018

The chance to end the tour with a silverware was brightened after Green Shirts registered first victory on this tour in the second T20 match, leveling the three match series at 1-1 against Kiwis.

However, right-arm pacer Hasan Ali was unfit to play today due to a slight injury during practice sessions, announced Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hours before the deciding match.

Hasan Ali twisted his left ankle during training yesterday while playing football. After 24 hours of conservative management he did not make adequate progress to be cleared fit to play the final T20I against New Zealand by Pakistan Team Physiotherapist, Vib Singh. pic.twitter.com/xH2GOwv7Gq

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) January 28, 2018

Pakistan had notched their first victory of the tour over the New Zealand in the second T20 after crushing the Black Caps by 48 runs in Auckland.

Playing XI: 

New Zealand: Kane Williamson(c), Martin Guptill, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Anaru Kitchen, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tom Blunde (w).

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed(c), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir,  Rumman Raees.