In a commanding performance, New Zealand secured a 4-0 lead in the T20I series against Pakistan with a seven-wicket victory in the fourth match in Christchurch.
Despite a shaky start with the team at 20-3 in the third over during their run-chase, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell turned the tide.
The duo formed a formidable partnership, accumulating 139 runs in 93 balls, ultimately guiding New Zealand to victory with 11 balls to spare.
Mitchell's impressive innings saw him score 72 runs in 44 balls, while Phillips contributed 70 runs in 52 balls.
Notably, all three wickets that fell during New Zealand's inning were taken by Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi.
The result reflects a dominant performance by the Kiwis, further solidifying their lead in the T20I series.
Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan played a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 90 runs in 63 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
This propelled Pakistan to set a target of 159 runs for New Zealand.
Supporting Rizwan's efforts, Mohammad Nawaz contributed a quick-fire 21 runs in just nine balls, including three consecutive sixes off pacer Adam Milne in the penultimate over of the innings.
Babar Azam, with a score of 19 runs in 11 balls, partnered with Rizwan to add 51 runs in 31 balls for the second wicket.
On the bowling front, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry were the key performers for the home side, each claiming two wickets.
The match seems poised for an exciting chase as New Zealand is tasked with reaching the target of 159 runs set by Pakistan.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan in the fourth T20I of the series in Christchurch on Friday.
The Green Shirts have replaced Azam Khan with Sahibzada Farhan in the playing XI.
Kiwi opener Devon Conway has been ruled-out due to testing positive for Covid-19.
"Conway has been in isolation at the team’s Christchurch hotel after testing positive yesterday," New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
"He will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday's final match against Pakistan." NZC added.
Chad Bowes will be replacing Conway in the fourth T20I.
Another blow for New Zealand as bowling coach Andre Adams also tested positive for Covid.
Lineups:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philipps, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Matthew Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
This is Pakistan's first series under new T20 captain Shaheen Afridi ahead of this year's 20-overs World Cup in June.
