New Zealand proved too strong as they defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in the fourth T20I match of the series played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 19th January 2024. New Zealand stand-in captain Mitchell Santer won the toss and decided to field first. It was an ideal start for the hosts as Matt Henry got rid of Saim Ayub. Babar Azam looked in decent touch along with Mohammad Rizwan as they ended the first six overs at 51 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Adam Milne struck getting rid of Babar Azam. Babar and Rizwan added 49 runs for 2nd wicket. Fakhar Zaman was not able to hit big shots against disciplined New Zealand bowling. Ferguson struck twice in the same over getting wickets of Fakhar and Sahibzada Farhan to stop the run flow.
On the other hand, Rizwan looked impressive keeping the scoreboard ticking completing his fifty off 38 deliveries. Ifkthitar Ahmed also struggled with his batting while Rizwan showed intent. Ahmed’s struggling innings ended. Iftikhar Ahmed and Rizwan added 40 runs for the 5th wicket. Mohammad Nawaz came to the crease providing some intent hitting 3 sixes against Adam Milne in the 19th over.
Nawaz and Rizwan added an unbeaten 32 runs for the 6th wicket. At the end of 20 overs, Pakistan managed 158 for 5. Chasing down 159 runs to win, New Zealand got off worst possible start as Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were dismissed in the first over by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen Shah got his 3rd wicket dismissing Will Young to leave the hosts in trouble. At the end of 6 overs, Daryl Mitchell and Phillips scored 38 for 3.
Highest Partnership For 4th Wicket in T20Is for New Zealand
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips looked in decent touch keeping the strike rotating and hitting boundaries. Both batters were given a reprieve with drop chances that made life easier keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Mitchell showed his class against the spinners along with Phillips. Phillips completed his fifty off 41 deliveries while Mitchell reached fifty off 34 balls. After completing their milestones, both batters took on the charge and won the match easily by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare. Phillips and Mitchell added unbeaten 139 runs for the 4th wicket.
With this win, New Zealand takes a 4-0 lead in the series with 1 game to spare. The fifth and final T20I will be played on 21st January 2024. Glenn Phillips and Mitchell broke the record of Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill. Williamson and Guptill stitched a 137-run partnership against Zimbabwe at Eden Park, Auckland on 11th Feb 2012.
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