In the fourth Twenty20 International match of the series, Pakistan succumbed to New Zealand by seven wickets on Friday in Christchurch, putting the opposition on course for a series rout.
Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell put together a match-winning combination of 139 runs in 93 balls to get their team over the finish line with 11 balls remaining after New Zealand had fallen to 20-3 in the third over of the run-chase.
A fifty was scored by each player.
In the fourth Twenty20 International of the series, Pakistan set New Zealand a target of 159 runs thanks to an undefeated 90 runs by Mohammad Rizwan.
With six fours and two sixes, Rizwan amassed 90 runs in 63 balls.
In the last over of the innings, Mohammad Nawaz struck three straight sixes off bowler Adam Milne en route to his quick-fire 21 runs in nine balls.
In the first wicket partnership with Rizwan, Babar Azam scored 19 runs in 11 balls and 51 runs in 31 balls.
For the home team, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson each took two wickets.
In the fourth Twenty20 International, New Zealand had earlier won the toss and chosen to bowl first against Pakistan.
Sahibzada Farhan has replaced Azam Khan in the starting lineup, marking the only change made by Pakistan.
After testing positive for Covid-19 hours before the game, Devon Conway, the opener for New Zealand, was declared out.
“Conway has been in isolation at the team’s Christchurch hotel after testing positive yesterday,” the New Zealand Cricket team said.
“He will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday’s final match against Pakistan.”
Chad Bowes, a batter with the Canterbury Kings, will be added to the team to relieve Conway.
NZC also reported that Andre Adams, a bowling coach, tested positive for Covid.
For the same reason, spinner Mitch Santner, who is captaining New Zealand in lieu of injured regular skipper Kane Williamson, was unable to attend the opening game of the series.
Will Young replaces Conway, and Adam Milne makes his 50th T20 international appearance for Ish Sodhi.
Pakistan’s lineups are as follows: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philipps, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), and
