By Zainab Shafiq 
New Zealand delivered a ruthless performance in the fifth and final T20I, thrashing Pakistan by eight wickets at Sky Stadium. The home side chased down a modest 129-run target in just 10 overs, securing a 4-1 series triumph with a blistering batting display.
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat
Opting to bat first, Pakistan found themselves in early trouble against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. The visitors lost Hasan Nawaz for a duck in the second over, setting the tone for a frustrating innings. Mohammad Haris (11 off 17) and Omair Yousuf (7 off 11) failed to build any momentum, while captain Agha Salman (51 off 39) fought a lone battle to hold the innings together.
Shadab Khan’s 28 off 20 provided some late resistance, but James Neesham’s outstanding spell (5/22) dismantled Pakistan’s middle order. Jacob Duffy (2/18) and Ish Sodhi (1/32) offered strong support as Pakistan crawled to 128/9 in their 20 overs.
Seifert’s Carnage Decimates Pakistan’s Bowling
In response, New Zealand made a mockery of the run chase. Tim Seifert unleashed a brutal assault on Pakistan’s bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 97 off just 38 balls. Finn Allen’s rapid 27 off 12 gave the hosts a flying start, putting Pakistan on the back foot immediately.
Sufiyan Muqeem (2/6) briefly provided hope, dismissing Allen and Mark Chapman (3), but Seifert continued his demolition job. His innings featured six fours and 10 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 255.26. Daryl Mitchell (2*) watched from the other end as New Zealand wrapped up the match with 10 overs to spare.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Final T20I Highlights
The emphatic win capped off a dominant series for New Zealand, who clinched the five-match series 4-1. Seifert was named Player of the Series for his consistent performances with the bat, while Neesham’s all-round heroics in the final game earned him Player of the Match honours.
For Pakistan, the series exposed major issues in both batting and bowling. Their inability to post competitive totals and break partnerships proved costly. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Pakistan will need to regroup quickly and address these weaknesses.
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