HIGHLIGHTS New Zealand vs Pakistan, Pakistan in New Zealand 5 T20I Series 2025, 4th T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back. Will O'Rourke to bowl first. Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz to open for Pakistan. A slip in place. Let's play...

...THE CHASE...

Pakistan once again have a mountain to climb! All eyes will be on Hasan Nawaz! The centurion has to help his team once again and so should the other batters if they want to keep the series alive. New Zealand have changed their bowling attack. The start will set the tone for the rest of the innings. An interesting chase coming up. Stay tuned.

Pakistan once again bowled similarly to the way we have seen in this series. Pakistan's bowling was woefully ineffective early on but improved significantly in the middle overs. However, New Zealand finished with a flourish, as skipper Michael Bracewell played a masterful hand to propel his team beyond 200 in the final 4 overs. Haris Rauf was Pakistan's standout bowler, claiming three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed secured two, albeit at a costly expense. Salman Agha shuffled his bowlers regularly. He used Haris Rauf particularly really well, however, didn't get much support from others.

New Zealand's innings unfolded in three distinct phases, ultimately culminating in a formidable total. The hosts seized control in the first 10 overs, with Tim Seifert setting the tone with a blistering 44 off 20 deliveries. Finn Allen initially played a supporting role but soon accelerated, surpassing Tim Seifert's strike rate and reaching a half-century before departing. Once he fell, the Kiwis nosedived a bit and lost control of the match. However, the partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell blossomed and helped New Zealand get to the 220 mark.

Michael Bracewell said at the toss that they missed out on a crucial partnership after a good start in the last match. Well, they were under similar circumstances today as well but have got that extra cushion of runs right at the fag end of the innings. However, is it enough or New Zealand have left some runs out there in the middle is the question? Time will tell.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! A boundary in a streaky manner! 221 is the target! A yorker angling on leg. Bracewell tickles it past short fine leg and it races to the fence.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Well bowled again! Shaheen Afridi nails the yorker length delivery, outside off. Bracewell toe ends his shot as it rolls back to the keeper. Can Shaheen Afridi end well?

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! Much needed! Misses the yorker length by a bit and Bracewell quickly adjusts and whacks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, The go-to delivery in the slog overs! A yorker just outside off. Bracewell fails to dig it out in time.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Wide! Goes wide as Shaheen Afridi dishes a fuller delivery outside off. Bracewell leaves.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, A full toss, around off, Michael Bracewell tries to paddle it away but misses. Not far away from the off pole as well.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Two! Bracewell keeps the strike! Too full and on off, Bracewell drives it to long off. The throw comes in but Shaheen Afridi fails to pick up cleanly. Easy run out chance.

Haris Rauf to Zakary Foulkes, Very full and on middle, Zakary Foulkes balloons his shot to mid on. Shaheen Afridi runs across to his right, dives and does all the hard work but fails to hold onto it. Would have been a great catch.

Haris Rauf to Zakary Foulkes, A good length delivery with some extra pace, slanting on leg. Zakary Foulkes steps across to flick but misses.

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Leg bye! On the pads. slower one and Bracewell helps it to short fine leg. Off the pads, given as a leg bye.

Haris Rauf to Zakary Foulkes, Short of a length and on middle and leg, Zakary Foulkes pulls it to square leg for one more.

Zakary Foulkes comes to the middle.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! TAKEN! Mitchell goes now! Haris Rauf gets his third! Shorter and around off, Mitchell pulls, played with a lot of intent but just couldn't get the power behind it, it goes to deep mid-wicket where Irfan Khan takes it.

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Full and outside off, Michael Bracewell punches it to covers for a single.

Abbas Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Slower length delivery outside off, Michael Bracewell plays it through covers for a single. 23 runs off it.

Abbas Afridi to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! Threads the gap! Too full and wide of off. Mitchell hangs his bat out and off the splice dabs it past short third man for a boundary. 200 up for the Kiwis.

Abbas Afridi to Michael Bracewell, SIX! Michael Bracewell playing a fine cameo here! Too full and on middle and leg. plays the pick up shot and nails it over cow corner for a biggie.

Abbas Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Wide! Back of the hand delivery from Afridi, flirts with the tramline with a fuller delivery. Michael Bracewell swings and misses.

Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Shorter and around off, Mitchell plays it to deep point for a single.

Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Placement! 10 runs off the first two! Well, well outside off. Mitchell bends and dabs it through point, well wide of the fielder in the deep and it races away.

Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, SIX! Picked the slower ball so quickly! Back of the hand delivery outside off, Mitchell thumps it down to long on, on the full and it lands on the cushion.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Slower bumper, outside off, Michael Bracewell taps it to the left of the keeper for a quick single. The keeper throws and misses his end, no back up and the batters take one more.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Shaheen Afridi steams in and fires in a yorker on middle. Michael Bracewell gets some bat on it as he inside edges it onto the pads. The inside edge saves him.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, Good length ball on middle, Michael Bracewell plays a defensive nudge to mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! Flies off the edge! Pitched up, outside off, width given and Michael Bracewell swings his arms, it goes off the outside edge to third man for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to Michael Bracewell, SIX! That's a poor line! Short and going down the leg side. Michael Bracewell just gives the ball a direction and it flies behind square leg for a biggie.

Shaheen Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Good length delivery, outside off, Mitchell punches it to third man for a single.

Change. Shaheen Afridi is back on.

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Touch fuller and outside off, Michael Bracewell pushes it to cover.

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, Comes around the wicket and bowls it on the pads. Michael Bracewell turns it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Haris Rauf to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! Clean shot! Boundary after almost 33 deliveries! Pitched up, outside off, Michael Bracewell firmly drives it through mid off for a boundary.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Leg bye! A bit of shape from Rauf, full and on the pads. Mitchell misses his flick and it rolls to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Length and outside off, Mitchell drops it to the right of third man for two more runs.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Was it off the helmet? Mitchell stands his ground! He thinks so! Pakistan are celebrating! UltraEdge confirms it is off the helmet! Shorter and on middle, angling in. Mitchell looks to pull but misses and it goes off the helmet to the keeper who takes it. Pakistan lose the review.

Change. Haris Rauf is back into the attack.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, A single to end the over as Mitchell bunts it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike.

Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Mitchell would have been in! On the pads. Michael Bracewell tickles it to short fine leg for a quick single.

Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Quicker, straight on middle, Michael Bracewell leans and blocks.

Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Tad short and on the pads. Michael Bracewell pulls it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Shadab Khan to Michael Bracewell, Very full and on middle, no room to free arms and Michael Bracewell tucks it to mid-wicket.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Tossed up on middle, Mitchell nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Wide! Flighted well over the tramline, left alone for a wide.

Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, That is plumb in front! Flat and skids a bit off the surface on middle, Mitchell opens up his body to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal and up goes the finger. Michael Bracewell take it upstairs. Ball Tracking shows it is pitching outside leg. Wow! Excelletn review.

Abrar Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell, Quicker delivery on middle, Mitchell whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Slightly short and on middle, Michael Bracewell pulls it to square leg for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Michael Bracewell, Tossed up on middle, Michael Bracewell blocks it out.

Who walks in? Michael Bracewell it is!

Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, OUT! GONE! Another one bites the dust! The Kiwis losing wickets in heaps! Slides it full and on middle and leg, comes with an angle, Hay plays the pre-meditated paddle sweep but misses and it goes off the gloves to the keeper who takes to his left. Easy wicket.

Abrar Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell, Flatter delivery, around off, spins in a bit. Mitchell nicely tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Slightly short and on middle, Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, Very full and on middle and leg, Hay eases it to long on and rotates the strike.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Tossed up outside off, Mitchell punches it to long off for a single.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, On middle, Mitchell gets inside the line and flicks it through square leg, in the small gap between two players for a couple.

Shadab Khan to Mitchell Hay, Flat and on middle, the googly, Hay plays it on the leg side and rotates the strike.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Very full and on middle, Mitchell drills it to long on for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Hay didn't pick up at all! The wrong 'un, flat and outside off, Hay leans across to defend but misses and gets beaten on the inside edge.

Abrar Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell, Flatter and wide of off. Mitchell cuts it through point for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Very full and outside off, Hay drives it to long off for a single. He is off the mark.

Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell Hay, Tossed up full and on middle, spins in. Hay prods and blocks it out.

Mitchell Hay walks in next.

Abrar Ahmed to James Neesham, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A huge appeal for caught behind but turned down. Pakistan take it upstairs. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball touches the wrist of the gloves! Neesham has to go! Excellent review! Flighted, slower full and outside off, Neesham looks to reverse sweep but seems to miss. It lobs over to the keeper who takes a dolly. Abrar Ahmed was confident as he suggested his skipper to take it upstairs. Good decision.

Abrar Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell, Too full and on middle, Mitchell tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Abrar Ahmed is back into the attack.

Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, Just the over Pakistan were looking for! On a good length and on middle, Neesham knocks it to mid-wicket.

Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, Good running! New Zealand need to ride the momentum! Shorter and on middle, Neesham pulls it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Abbas Afridi to Daryl Mitchell, Short of a length and on leg, Mitchell hits it behind square leg for a single.

Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, James Neesham is off the mark as plays this full ball to mid-wicket.

Abbas Afridi to James Neesham, Good length ball, outside off, Neesham drops it to point.

James Neesham comes in next.

Abbas Afridi to Finn Allen, OUT! TAKEN! The break brings some magic for the Pakistani players! Too full and around off, in the slot for Allen but the break breaks his momentum and he miscues it up in the air and to cover where Hasan Nawaz takes the skier. Fifty and out for Allen. A good knock though.

Strategic Break! A superb start by New Zealand have put them on the driving seat at the moment in this game. At this rate, a score of over 250 is well and truly possible. New Zealand will eye that but Pakistan won't like it much, they somehow have to bowl much better and pull things back. Can they?

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, Fifty up for Finn Allen! Comes in just 19 deliveries! Full and outside off, Allen drives it through covers for a single.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, SIX! IN THE AIR AND OVER THE FENCE! Tad short and outside off, Allen again swings his bat and hits it to long on. The fielder leaps but to no avail as it lobs over his head for a biggie.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, SIX! That was a hit-me delivery! In the slot, full and on leg, Allen stands his ground and smokes it over long on for a six.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, FOUR! Class from Allen! He is accelerating so well! Not letting the intent drop down! Full and on off, Allen thumps it down to long off for a boundary.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, FOUR! Welcome boundary! Khan bowls outside off once again, gives width and Allen slams it wide of the sweeper cover fielder for a boundary.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, Wide! Well over the tramline, Allen leaves it alone. Wided.

Shadab Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Khan serves it full and on middle, Mitchell tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Haris Rauf to Finn Allen, Squared him up! Haris Rauf drags his length back and bowls on a length and outside off. Allen looks to punch it away but misses.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Short in length and on leg, Mitchell pulls it behind square leg for a single.

Haris Rauf to Finn Allen, Too full and on middle and leg, Allen turns it to mid-wicket for one more.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Slight mix up but no harm down! Fuller and around off, Mitchell pushes it straight to mid off. Mitchell calls for a single then hesitates to complete, slight fumble from the fielder and they cross.

Haris Rauf to Daryl Mitchell, Length and on middle, Mitchell nudges it to mid-wicket.

Daryl Mitchell walks to the middle.

Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Misses a straight line! Chapman pre-meditates and walks cross the stumps, Rauf bowls it full and on leg, Chapman fails to paddle and it crashes the stumps. Not needed as Chapman was hitting so well in the V.

Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, On middle, fuller and Chapman sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, JUST SHORT! Flighted full and on middle, Chapman looks to flick but gets a leading edge to Khan who dives forward but picks up on a bounce.

Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, SIX! Both are going full throttle! Too full and around off, in the slot once again and Chapman nicely lofts it over long off and it goes all the way.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, Flatter delivery, outside off, Allen slams it to long off, aerially but on a bounce to the fielder.

Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, FOUR! Allen using all his power here! Not that short but in the hitting arc for Allen who frees his arms and slams it to long off for a boundary.

Shadab Khan to Mark Chapman, Floats it full and on off, Chapman works it to deep square leg for a single.

Change. Shadab Khan to roll his arms now!

Abrar Ahmed to Finn Allen, FOUR! MORE RUNS! Almost takes the umpire with him! Tad short and on middle, Allen clears his front leg and smashes it down the ground and over the standing umpire for a boundary.

Abrar Ahmed to Finn Allen, SIX! Boundaries continue to flow! New Zealand eyeing more than 200! Bowls in the slot, full and on middle, Allen thumps it over long on for a six.

Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Tossed up full and on middle, Chapman sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Mark Chapman, Flights it full and on middle and off. Chapman pushes it to cover.

Abrar Ahmed to Finn Allen, Well outside off, Allen cuts it to deep point for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Finn Allen, FOUR! Aerial and in the gap! Abrar Ahmed bowls short and on middle, Allen goes back and pulls it to the right of long on. The fielder runs across but fails to stop it. A boundary.

Abbas Afridi to Finn Allen, Goes full and around off, Allen swings wildly and miscues his shot to short fine leg for a single.

Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Length ball, outside off, Chapman strokes it through covers for a single.

Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Gets back close to the off pole as Afridi bowls on a length. Chapman blocks it out.

Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, FOUR! Nails the shot this time! Gives a bit of width and bowls it outside off, Chapman slams it through covers and it races to the fence.

Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, Better! Short of a good length and outside off, Chapman looks to cut it away but misses.

Abbas Afridi to Mark Chapman, FOUR! Not where Chapman intended but he will take it! Bonus runs! Slightly short and on leg, Chapman mistimes his pull and it rolls to fine leg for a boundary.

Abbas Afridi to Finn Allen, No ball and Leg bye! None of the bowlers have started well so far! Shorter and sliding on leg. Allen fails to pull and it rolls of his body to short fine leg for a leg bye. A no ball is called as Abbas Afridi has overstepped.

Change. Pace from both ends for the first time as Abbas Afridi will bowl now.

Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, SIX! Off the top edge! He has some sort of luck so Pakistan need to be careful with Chapman! Shorter and on middle, Chapman looks to pull but top edges it and it flies behind the keeper and all the way.

Haris Rauf to Finn Allen, Sharp run! Short of a length and on off, Allen drops it in front of point for a single.

Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, Leg bye! Bowls it on a nagging length on leg. Chapman hops to flick but misses and it rolls off the pads to third man for a leg bye. Was pitching outside leg.

Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, This is on a length and around off, Chapman knocks it to covers again.

Haris Rauf to Mark Chapman, A good length ball, outside off, Chapman punches it to cover.

Mark Chapman is the new man in.

Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, OUT! TAKEN! Moment of brilliance on the field! Just what Pakistan needed! The hard length delivery from Rauf, on middle and leg. Seifert pulls but gets a bit cramped as he plays the shot, it goes to deep mid-wicket where Khushdil Shah runs forward and to his right, dives low and takes a brilliant catch. Does well to hold onto it. Can Pakistan pull things back from here?

Haris Rauf to Tim Seifert, FIVE WIDES! Haris Rauf under pressure straightaway! Spills it well down the leg side, Seifert leaves and it somehow goes past the keeper as well, as it races to the fine leg fence.

Haris Rauf is into the attack.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, A single to end but 19 runs off the over. The slider, full and on leg, this is clipped to square leg for a single.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, SIX! Best of the lot! Serious shot! Into the 40s! Flat again outside off, Seifert nails his aerial punch this time as he hits it over extra cover for a six.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Not off the middle but good enough to bag a boundary! Flat and outside off, top spin on it and Seifert looks to punch on the up, plays off the outer half and it lobs over covers and rolls to the fence.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, SIX! Not good from Ahmed! Pitches it up, full and on middle, Seifert quite easily dispatches it over long on for a biggie.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Ahmed need to push his length forward! Bowls slightly short and around off, Seifert makes room and punches it to cover.

Abrar Ahmed to Tim Seifert, Ahmed flights it on a length and outside off, Seifert slaps it to the right of cover who gets a hand on it. A couple of runs.

A halt in play as the Pakistani players are quickly hydrating themselves. Change in bowling, Abrar Ahmed is into the attack.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Slower short delivery on middle, Seifert pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 15 runs off the over.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, SIX! Big over already! Bowls it in the slot, Seifert pre-meditates, gets in the shape as he rocks back and smashes it over long off for a huge six.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Change of pace from Afridi! At 119 clicks! On a length and on top of off. Seifert taps it to backward point.

Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, A good length delivery on middle, Allen knocks it in front of mid on and takes a sharp single.

Shaheen Afridi to Finn Allen, FOUR! Freebie! Looks for the swing but dishes out a full toss on the pads. Allen whips it over mid-wicket and it rolls to the fence.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, THREE RUNS! Pitched up swinging on middle, Seifert flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder gives the chase and slides near the fence to save a run for his team. Abbas Afridi it was.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, Floats it a bit, full and on middle, Seifert skips down and lofts off the inner half of the bat and to long on for a single.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, Tossed up full and on middle, arm delivery and Seifert punches it to mid off.

Khushdil Shah to Finn Allen, TWO WIDES! 11 already of the over! Down the leg side again, Allen fails to hit it away and it rolls to fine leg for a single. Easy runs.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, TWO WIDES! Spills it full and down the leg side, Seifert fails to sweep and it rolls to short fine leg of the keeper's leg for a single.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, Not the length you would like to bowl on this pitch! Short once again from Shah, outside off and Seifert punches it to cover.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, SIX! Pure strength from Seifert! Fractionally short from Shah and Seifert quickly moves on the back foot, he opens up his body and thumps it down the ground for a biggie.

Khushdil Shah to Tim Seifert, Flatter delivery, outside off, Seifert slaps it straight to cover.

Khushdil Shah to Finn Allen, Slightly short and on middle, Allen pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. He is off the mark.

Who will bowl now? It is Khushdil Shah!

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Streaky! Afridi targets the stumps again, goes full and on middle, swinging in late. Seifert looks to cut but bottom edges it past the stumps and to fine leg for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, BEATEN! Quality from Afridi! Shaheen Afridi drags his length back and bowls it outside off, shaping in late. Seifert looks to punch it but misses.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Brilliant from Shaheen Afridi! Too full and on middle and leg, shaping in once again. Seifert pushes it back to Shaheen Afridi.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, How has that missed the stumps? Wow! Superb from Afridi! Touch fuller and swinging in around off. Seifert is late to get his bat down and gets beaten on the outside edge. It goes past the off pole as well. Even Shaheen Afridi looks surprise as it misses the stumps.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Shot from a man who is full of confidence! Shaheen Afridi pitches it up and bowls it on middle, Seifert with a straight bat drives it down past mid off for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert, Not on the money but quality delivery from Afridi! A yorker, shaping on the pads and swinging away a bit. Seifert looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the boots.

All set for action. A quick word by Salman Agha to his team before they spread out in the middle. The explosive openers of Kiwis, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen walk to the middle. The Eagle from Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi takes the new ball as he always does. A slip in place. Let's go...

Time for the national anthems! Both teams stride out to the middle. It will be of Pakistan's team first followed by the Kiwis.

Michael Bracewell, the captain of New Zealand says Eden Park is a special ground and strange things have happened there. Tells that they needed one more partnership in the last match to push the score around 230-240 runs which could have been enough to defend the score down. Mentions Bay Oval is a completely different ground, they need to assess the conditions quickly and set a target they will be confident defending.

Salman Agha, the skipper of Pakistan says they will bowl first, it worked for them in the last match and want to replicate. Adds they are a good enough team to play under any conditions.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Zakary Foulkes (In for Kyle Jamieson), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke (In for Ben Sears).

Pakistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (C), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and will BOWL first!

New Zealand didn’t do much wrong. A score more than 200 should have been defended down but their bowlers for the first time in this series looked a bit tired. They know it was just a bad day at the office and would be eager to bounce back and seal the series today itself. Also, Matt Henry was ruled out for the first three matches but now will miss the remainder of the series as well, as he is recovering from a shoulder injury. Will the hosts take the inevitable lead or Pakistan with a lot of confidence now, come back from behind and take the series into the final game? We shall find out soon. Toss and team news coming up in a bit.

Hello and welcome to the fourth T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan. This series has come alive with a comprehensive win from the tourists. After two consecutive ducks, Hasan Nawaz scored a magnificent century and helped his team chase down over 200 in just 16 overs. Mohammad Haris and Salman Agha played a solid helping hand to keep the series alive. Pakistani batters have finally come to the party and kept the series alive, they now have to replicate what they did in the last match. However, the Pakistani bowlers, consisting of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed have performed not to their potential but still two games to go, they would hope to produce a better performance.

...MATCH DAY...

The Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is all set to host the 4th T20I between hosts New Zealand and Pakistan as we near the conclusion of the five-match series. The Kiwis seemed well in control with a couple of very comfortable wins in the first two games and then riding on a superb 94 off just 44 balls from Mark Chapman, New Zealand notched up 200-plus runs in the 3rd T20I in Auckland. However, a storm by the name of Hasan Nawaz came and blew everything away as he scored a sensational ton and somehow, Pakistan managed to knock over the target in just 16 overs, keeping the series well and truly alive. The fourth T20I will be a crucial game for both sides as a win for the Kiwis would seal the series for them but a win for Pakistan would mean that the fifth and final T20I would become a straight shootout for the series victory. New Zealand have made a few changes to their squad for the final two T20I games and the left-arm spinner, Nikith Perera has been named in the squad and we might even see him get a senior international debut soon. On the other hand, Pakistan has the same squad, but we might now see more of a settled XI with the batting starting to take shape. Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris up top make for a brute pair up top and the skipper, Salman Agha is that glue coming in at number 3. The bowling leaves a lot to be desired from the visitors as the experienced likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan haven't quite lived up to expectations. Also, the batting can collapse at any given moment as we have seen so many times in the past but the previous game should give them a lot of confidence. New Zealand on the other hand does have a somewhat inexperienced bowling lineup and even the batting doesn't have the regular names but barring the previous game, they have shown great application on both fronts and will be looking to get back to winning ways after that unprecedented way of defeat. Will they be able to do so? Or will Pakistan keep building momentum and level things up? Only time will tell.