Pakistan chased down 174 runs to win the third and final T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday as Mohammad Rizwan cracked a 59-ball 89 at the top of the order.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bowl first. Tim Seifert (35 off 20) got the hosts off to a good start but Faheem Ashraf wreaked havoc in the middle overs with his quick wickets. Glenn Phillips (31 off 20) and Devon Conway (63 off 45) stitched the innings back together and the latter guided his team to 173/7 at the end of 20 overs. Ashraf ended with impressive figures of 3/20. Rizwan ensured Pakistan got off to a great chase — building a 72-run partnership with Mohammad Hafeez (41). Some quick wickets at the death by Tim Southee (2/25) threatened to derail the chase but Pakistan reached the target with 2 balls to spare and 4 wickets in hand.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Haider Ali, Shadab Khan(c), Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert(w), Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
