Pakistan suffered its first tri-series loss in their third encounter as Decon Conway and Finn Allen easily helped the home side chase down the below-par target of 131 at Hagley Oval to secure a nine-wicket win for their side.
The opening pair for New Zealand added 117 runs for the first wicket in pursuit of 131, running riot against Pakistan’s vaunted attack despite the return of Naseem Shah from a prolonged illness-related absence.
Allen was eventually the only batter to fall for New Zealand having scored 62 from 42 balls with Shadab Khan the only bowler to pick up a wicket for Pakistan.
The spinner finished with the figures of 4-0-26-1 as most Pakistani bowlers failed to threaten due to a lack of scoreboard pressure.
Earlier in the day, Babar Azam chose to bat, veering from the formula which has suited Pakistani batters in recent times. The decision proved to be a costly one as the wicket offered more movement than anticipated.
A rare failure up top from both Babar Azam and ICC Player of the Month for September, Mohammad Rizwan, exposed Pakistan’s already fragile batting line-up against a very determined Kiwi attack.
Michael Bracewell, later named Man of the Match, accounted for both Babar and Rizwan before finishing with the figures of 4-0-11-2.
Shadab Khan, promoted to no.4 once again, failed with the bat scoring just eight before Haider Ali joined him in the pavilion with the same score.
Asif Ali (25) and Iftikhar Ahmed (27) managed to string a little partnership together to save face helping their side reach 130-7 in their 20 overs.
It was the first time in 77 matches that the side batting first did not hit at least one 6.
The target proved to be nowhere close a New Zealand romped to an easy win.
Pakistan had the luxury of being lethargic in one of their encounter in the tri-series having already won their opening two matches. The team will now look to bounce back in their final game against Bangladesh on the 13th of October.
