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Photograph: (Source: India Today)
Tim Seifert's undefeated 97-run innings helped New Zealand chase down the goal of 128 with eight wickets and ten overs remaining in the fifth and final Twenty20 International between the two teams on Wednesday at the Wellington Regional Stadium, capping a 3-1 series victory over Pakistan. Salma Ali Aga's fifty was in vain as Jimmy Neeshan spearheaded the Kiwi bowling assault with a fifer to restrict Pakistan to 128/9.
For the sixth wicket, captain Salman Ali Agha and deputy Shadab Khan put up a crucial 54-run partnership off 45 balls. Shadab left the partnership after James Neesham hit a 20-ball 28. A few overs later, Salman was out to Neesham for 51 from 39 balls, which led to his dismissal. In their final 20 overs, the visitors puffed and sputtered their way to 128/9. Neesham finished with stats of 5/22 in four overs, making him the Blackcaps' best bowler. Jacob Duffy took two wickets while bowling well as well.
NZ Seal Series with 4-1 Win Over Pakistan:
In the third match of the series, Pakistan rallied and managed to chase down a target of 205 runs with nine wickets remaining. Hasan Nawaz's undefeated century and captain Salman Ali Agha's fifty put them ahead, making the series 1-2 and still in the hosts' favor.
However, with a massive 115-run victory over Pakistan at the Bay Oval, the Kiwis secured the five-game series with one game remaining. NZ amassed 220 thanks to significant contributions from several players before dismissing Pakistan for 105 runs in 16.2 overs, with Jacob Duffy taking four wickets to give the team an insurmountable 3-1 series lead.
New Zealand Squad: Will O'Rourke (Matches 1, 2, and 3), Kyle Jamieson (Matches 1, 2, and 3 only), Matt Henry (Matches 4 and 5), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell (C), and Zak Foulkes (Matches 4 and 5).
Pakistan Squad: Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, and Sufyan Moqim
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