New Zealand’s fast bowlers delivered a masterclass in swing bowling to dismantle Pakistan in the fourth T20I at Mount Maunganui. The home side clinched the series 3-1 with a match to spare, securing a massive 115-run victory. After an inspiring chase of 205 in the previous game, Pakistan crumbled under pressure, bowled out for just 56 runs in 16.2 overs.
New Zealand’s Dominant Batting Display
Finn Allen’s Blazing Fifty Sets the Tone
New Zealand’s intent was clear from the very first over as they raced to 79/1 in the powerplay. Finn Allen led the charge with a blistering 20-ball half-century, taking apart the Pakistani bowlers with aggressive stroke play. His innings included multiple boundaries and towering sixes, ensuring the Black Caps posted their second consecutive 200-plus total in the series.
Tim Seifert’s Explosive Start
Tim Seifert provided early momentum, smashing Shaheen Afridi for a straight four on the second ball of the innings. He then took on Khushdil Shah and Abrar Ahmed, hammering 19 runs in an over. His quickfire 44 off 22 balls helped New Zealand to an electrifying start, reaching 79 for 1 in just six overs—one of the highest powerplay totals against Pakistan in T20I history.
Middle-Order Struggles and Bracewell’s Heroics
Following Allen’s dismissal at 134/2, Pakistan briefly fought back, reducing New Zealand to 149/5. However, Michael Bracewell took charge at the death, blasting 46 off 26 balls, including five fours and two massive sixes. His late-innings fireworks propelled New Zealand to a formidable total of 220/6.
| New Zealand Batting Performance |
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | 50 | 20 | 6 | 3 |
| Tim Seifert | 44 | 22 | 5 | 2 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 29 | 23 | 2 | 1 |
| Michael Bracewell | 46 | 26 | 5 | 2 |
| Glenn Phillips | 18 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
Pakistan’s Collapse: Duffy and Foulkes Run Riot
Early Strikes Crush Pakistan’s Hopes
Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum, with New Zealand’s fast bowlers exploiting the swinging conditions to perfection. Will O’Rourke struck in the first over, dismissing Mohammad Haris with a delivery that jagged back to rattle the stumps. Jacob Duffy followed up with a sensational spell, removing Hasan Nawaz and skipper Salman Agha in quick succession.
Zakary Foulkes’ Impact on Debut
Making his first appearance in the series, Zakary Foulkes made an immediate impact, cleaning up Shadab Khan with his very first ball. Pakistan continued to lose wickets in clusters, with their batting lineup crumbling under pressure. Abdul Samad was the only player to show resistance, scoring 44 off 30 balls before falling to Duffy.
Duffy Leads the Wicket Charts
Duffy ended with match-winning figures of 4/20, becoming the highest wicket-taker of the series with 11 scalps in four matches. Foulkes also impressed with three wickets, ensuring Pakistan never recovered from their dismal start.
| Pakistan Batting Performance |
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Abdul Samad | 44 | 30 | 5 | 2 |
| Mohammad Haris | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Salman Agha | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand’s Seamers Dominate
Duffy and Foulkes Wreck Havoc
Pakistan had no answers to the relentless swing and seam movement of New Zealand’s bowlers. The Black Caps’ four-man pace attack accounted for nine of Pakistan’s ten wickets, completely dismantling the opposition in just over 16 overs.
| New Zealand Bowling Performance |
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 20 | 4 | 5.00 |
| Zakary Foulkes | 3.2 | 24 | 3 | 7.20 |
| Will O’Rourke | 3 | 18 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
Pakistan’s Bowling Effort Falls Short
Pakistan’s bowlers had a difficult outing, struggling to contain New Zealand’s aggressive batting. Haris Rauf was the only bowler who managed to restrict the run flow, finishing with figures of 3/27 in his four-over spell.
| Pakistan Bowling Performance |
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 27 | 3 | 6.75 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Abbas Afridi | 4 | 40 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 46 | 0 | 11.50 |
Key Takeaways from the Match
- New Zealand’s Batting Masterclass: Finn Allen and Tim Seifert laid the foundation for a dominant total, while Bracewell’s late blitz ensured Pakistan faced a daunting target.
- Duffy’s Bowling Brilliance: With 4/20, Duffy was unplayable, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series.
- Pakistan’s Batting Collapse: Unable to handle New Zealand’s pace attack, Pakistan suffered one of their worst collapses in T20I history.
- Series Clinched: New Zealand’s win secured them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, highlighting their dominance over Pakistan.
This match was a testament to New Zealand’s all-round supremacy, as their batters and bowlers delivered a commanding performance to seal the series in style.
