Achi news desk-
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell (CL) celebrates with teammates (Credit: AFP)
Opener Tim Robinson hit a maiden half-century to lift New Zealand to 178-7 in 20 overs before paceman William O’Rourke claimed 3-27 to keep Pakistan down to 174-8.
Experienced all-rounder Jimmy Neesham kept his cool to defend a six off the last ball to seal a four-run win for New Zealand on Thursday in the fourth Twenty20 international against Pakistan in Lahore.
Pakistan needed 18 off the last over in their chase of 179 but Neesham came out in flying colors despite being hit for a boundary off the first ball, giving the full Gaddafi Stadium crowd heartbreak.
Opener Tim Robinson hit a maiden half-century to lift New Zealand to 178-7 in 20 overs before paceman William O’Rourke claimed 3-27 to keep Pakistan down to 174-8.
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Imad Wasim (22 not out) hit the last ball for a single as New Zealand took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with the final match on Saturday, also in Lahore.
Pakistan also lost the third match by seven wickets after winning the first match by the same margin, while the first match was abandoned after just two balls – all three in Rawalpindi.
The loss is a blow to the strong Pakistan team in their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.
New Zealand, who are missing a host of players due to the Indian Premier League, injuries and unavailability, can feel very proud of their bench strength going into the World Cup.
Pakistan sensed they were in with a chance when Fakhar Zaman, who made a 45-ball 61 with three sixes and four boundaries, lifted Pakistan from 79-4 with a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed who made a 20. 23 ball.
But O’Rourke, playing just his fourth T20I, dismissed Ahmed to add to his wickets of Babar Azam (five) and Saim Ayub (20) to give New Zealand a boost.
Teammate Ben Sears (2-27) claimed Zaman’s wicket with 33 needed off 14 balls.
Earlier, Robinson batted with aggression.
Robinson’s 36-ball 51 with two sixes and four fours lifted New Zealand – sent in to bat – to 93-1 in 10 overs before Abbas Afridi’s career-best 3-20 helped Pakistan pull away.
New Zealand started briskly with Robinson and Tom Blundell, who scored 28 off 15, putting on 56 for the opening stand in five overs.
But from 94-1 New Zealand lost three wickets, including that of dangerman Mark Chapman for eight, as Pakistan’s fielders held on to good bowling from Abbas.
Dean Foxcroft chipped in with 34 off 26 deliveries and skipper Michael Bracewell added 27 to keep the scoreboard going as New Zealand managed 43 in the last five overs.
Pakistan were forced to make five changes as wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan and Muhammad Irfan Khan were injured while they rested Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
