New Zealand’s aggressive approach in the powerplay crushed Pakistan’s hopes early. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert scored 66 runs in the first five overs. Allen launched three sixes in the second over, setting the tone for the chase. Seifert continued the assault, smashing four sixes off Shaheen Afridi. This powerplay carnage left Pakistan’s bowlers stunned and defensive. Pakistan had a strong bowling lineup but lacked consistency under pressure. Their inability to restrict boundaries cost them heavily in the early phase.
Despite a maiden over from Afridi, New Zealand’s openers controlled the innings. Seifert’s 22-ball 45 and Allen’s 16-ball 38 made the chase easy. New Zealand’s start ensured their middle order was under little pressure to accelerate. Pakistan must rethink its powerplay bowling tactics for future matches like the Indian National Team. A more disciplined approach in the first six overs is necessary for success.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 2nd T20I, Dunedin, March 18, 2025, Pakistan tour of New Zealand
New Zealand won by 5 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)
Pakistan (15 ovs maximum)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mohammad Haris †
|
c Duffy b Sears | 11 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 110.00 | ||
|
Hasan Nawaz
|
c Chapman b Duffy | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
|
Salman Agha (c)
|
c Chapman b Sears | 46 | 28 | 45 | 4 | 3 | 164.28 | ||
|
Irfan Khan
|
c Sears b Sodhi | 11 | 9 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 122.22 | ||
|
Khushdil Shah
|
c †Hay b Sodhi | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | ||
|
Shadab Khan
|
c Mitchell b Duffy | 26 | 14 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 185.71 | ||
|
Abdul Samad
|
c Mitchell b Neesham | 11 | 7 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 157.14 | ||
|
Jahandad Khan
|
c Foulkes b Neesham | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
|
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
not out | 22 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 157.14 | ||
|
Haris Rauf
|
run out (Bracewell/Neesham) | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | ||
| Extras | (lb 3, w 2) | 5 | |||||||
| Total |
15 Ov (RR: 9.00, 79 Mins)
|
135/9 | |||||||
|
Did not bat: Mohammad Ali
|
|||||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Hasan Nawaz, 0.4 ov), 2-19 (Mohammad Haris, 3.1 ov), 3-50 (Irfan Khan, 6.4 ov), 4-52 (Khushdil Shah, 6.6 ov), 5-76 (Salman Agha, 9.2 ov), 6-110 (Shadab Khan, 11.5 ov), 7-111 (Jahandad Khan, 12.2 ov), 8-114 (Abdul Samad, 12.6 ov), 9-135 (Haris Rauf, 14.6 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
Pakistan’s Innings Highlights
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Rain Delay | Pakistan – 0/0 |
| Wet Ground Delay | Pakistan – 0/0 |
| Powerplay (Overs 0.1 – 5.0) | 36 runs, 2 wickets |
| Match Reduction | Reduced to 15 overs due to rain |
| 50 Runs Milestone | 6.3 overs (39 balls), Extras 2 |
| Review (Over 6.6) | New Zealand challenged, Decision upheld – Khushdil Shah out |
| Drinks Break | Pakistan – 62/4 in 8.0 overs (Agha Salman 33, Shadab Khan 3) |
| 100 Runs Milestone | 11.1 overs (67 balls), Extras 2 |
| Innings Break | Pakistan – 135/9 in 15.0 overs (Shaheen Shah Afridi 22) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jacob Duffy
|
3 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 6.66 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|
Zakary Foulkes
|
3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.66 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Ben Sears
|
3 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 7.66 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
|
James Neesham
|
3 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 8.66 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|
Ish Sodhi
|
2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 8.50 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|
Michael Bracewell
|
1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand (T: 136 runs from 15 ovs)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tim Seifert
|
c Shaheen Shah Afridi b Mohammad Ali | 45 | 22 | 25 | 3 | 5 | 204.54 | ||
|
Finn Allen
|
lbw b Jahandad Khan | 38 | 16 | 41 | 1 | 5 | 237.50 | ||
|
Mark Chapman
|
c Jahandad Khan b Khushdil Shah | 1 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 16.66 | ||
|
Daryl Mitchell
|
c Shadab Khan b Haris Rauf | 14 | 14 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | ||
|
James Neesham
|
c Abdul Samad b Haris Rauf | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 | ||
|
Mitchell Hay †
|
not out | 21 | 16 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 131.25 | ||
|
Michael Bracewell (c)
|
not out | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 250.00 | ||
| Extras | (lb 3, nb 1, w 4) | 8 | |||||||
| Total |
13.1 Ov (RR: 10.40, 73 Mins)
|
137/5 | |||||||
|
Did not bat: Zakary Foulkes,
Ben Sears,
Ish Sodhi,
Jacob Duffy
|
|||||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-66 (Tim Seifert, 4.4 ov), 2-87 (Finn Allen, 6.5 ov), 3-91 (Mark Chapman, 7.4 ov), 4-97 (James Neesham, 8.3 ov), 5-132 (Daryl Mitchell, 12.5 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
New Zealand’s innings:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Powerplay (Overs 0.1 – 5.0) | 66 runs, 1 wicket |
| Review (Over 0.3) | Pakistan challenged, Decision struck down – TL Seifert not out |
| 50 Runs Milestone | 3.6 overs (24 balls), Extras 0 |
| 1st Wicket Partnership | 50 runs in 24 balls (TL Seifert 31, FH Allen 19, Extras 0) |
| Review (Over 6.5) | New Zealand challenged, Decision struck down – FH Allen out (Umpire’s Call) |
| 100 Runs Milestone | 8.4 overs (53 balls), Extras 6 |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
3 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 10.33 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
|
Mohammad Ali
|
2 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 17.00 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
|
Khushdil Shah
|
3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5.33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
|
Haris Rauf
|
3 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 6.66 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|
Jahandad Khan
|
1.1 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 19.71 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
|
Shadab Khan
|
1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Match Analysis
Pakistan’s innings never gained momentum due to early wickets and disciplined bowling. Hasan Nawaz’s early dismissal set the tone for Pakistan’s struggle. Mohammad Haris showed intent but fell while trying to accelerate the scoring. Salman Agha played a counterattacking knock, scoring 46 off 28 balls. His effort kept Pakistan in the game, but the lack of partnerships hurt them as Zimbabwe did to India in Harare in 2024 in a low-scoring match.
Ish Sodhi’s introduction turned the match further in New Zealand’s favor. He dismissed Irfan Khan and Khushdil Shah simultaneously, disrupting Pakistan’s recovery. Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi provided late fireworks but couldn’t push Pakistan beyond 135.
New Zealand’s bowlers adapted well to the conditions, using extra bounce to their advantage. Their variations and disciplined line-and-length restricted Pakistan’s scoring opportunities. If Pakistan wants to bounce back, they must improve their shot selection under pressure.
Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf Showed Positive Signs for Pakistan
Despite Pakistan’s struggles, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf delivered promising performances. Afridi began with a maiden over, applying early pressure on New Zealand’s chase. However, Allen and Seifert counterattacked with aggressive stroke play after the first over.
Rauf, brought in to strengthen Pakistan’s pace attack, took two key wickets. His dismissals of Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham slightly delayed New Zealand’s chase. Pakistan’s overall bowling effort lacked consistency, especially in the powerplay overs. Rauf’s ability to extract bounce and pace troubled New Zealand’s middle order.
Despite an expensive third over, Afridi showed why he remains Pakistan’s lead pacer. Pakistan needs more disciplined execution from their fast bowlers, especially in crunch moments. Pakistan’s bowling can be more effective if Afridi and Rauf receive better support after their bad performance against India in CT 2025.
Ish Sodhi’s Breakthrough OverStalled Pakistan’s Momentum
Ish Sodhi’s spell was a game-changer for New Zealand in the middle overs. Pakistan was attempting a recovery when Sodhi dismissed Irfan Khan and Khushdil Shah. His ability to turn the ball and maintain tight lines troubled the batters. Pakistan’s middle order failed to rotate the strike, allowing New Zealand to dictate terms.
Salman Agha’s attacking intent kept Pakistan’s hopes alive for a while. However, after his dismissal, Pakistan lost momentum and struggled to accelerate, as in their 1st match against New Zealand at Christchurch.
Sodhi’s variations forced the batters into mistakes, restricting scoring opportunities. His spell of 2 for 17 ensured Pakistan couldn’t post a competitive total. The leg-spinner’s control and ability to take wickets at crucial moments proved decisive. A better shot selection is needed if Pakistan wants to counter Sodhi in future games.
Seifert and Allen’s Explosive Partnership Made the Chase Easy
New Zealand’s opening partnership sealed Pakistan’s fate within the first five overs. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert played fearless cricket, targeting Pakistan’s fast bowlers. Allen took down Mohammad Ali in the second over with three consecutive sixes.
Seifert then smashed Shaheen Afridi for four sixes in the following over. Their aggressive approach meant New Zealand never felt pressure while chasing 135. By the time Seifert departed, New Zealand was already in a winning position.
Allen continued the onslaught, hitting two more sixes before getting dismissed. Their partnership ensured New Zealand’s middle order had an easy job finishing the chase. Pakistan’s bowling lacked the control and variety to handle such an aggressive onslaught. They must find a way to control powerplay scoring to stay competitive.
Pakistan Needs to Improve Powerplay Strategies in Both Batting and Bowling
Pakistan’s struggles in the powerplay cost them the match in both innings. Their batting in the first six overs lacked intent and proper execution. Losing early wickets meant their middle order had to rebuild rather than accelerate. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s openers dominated Pakistan’s bowling with aggressive stroke play.
Despite a disciplined start from Afridi, Pakistan’s bowling lacked consistency in key moments. They leaked too many boundaries in the powerplay, making the chase easy for New Zealand. The major difference between the two teams was their contrasting powerplay performances.
New Zealand made 66 in their first five overs, while Pakistan managed only 36. This 30-run difference played a huge role in deciding the match’s outcome. Pakistan must strategize better to win the crucial powerplay battle in upcoming games.
