New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to secure a massive 115-run victory over Pakistan in the fourth T20 match at Bay Oval. Batting first, the hosts put up an imposing total of 220/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to explosive knocks from Finn Allen (50 off 20), Tim Seifert (44 off 22), and Michael Bracewell (46* off 26). Pakistan’s bowlers struggled against New Zealand’s aggressive batting, with Haris Rauf (3/27) being the standout performer. Abrar Ahmed also picked up two wickets, but the visitors failed to control the scoring rate. With such a high total on the board, New Zealand put themselves in a strong position from the start.
Pakistan, in response, had a disastrous batting display and was bowled out for just 105 runs in 16.2 overs. Abdul Samad fought hard with a 44-run knock off 30 balls, while Irfan Khan Niazi contributed 24 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup collapsed under the pressure. New Zealand’s bowlers were exceptional, with Jacob Duffy (4/20) leading the attack and Zakary Foulkes (3/25) also making a big impact. James Neesham and Michael Bracewell chipped in with wickets to ensure Pakistan never got back into the game. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals, making the chase nearly impossible.
With this dominant win, New Zealand has now taken a 3-1 lead in the five-match T20 series. Their all-round performance showed their strength in both batting and bowling, while Pakistan struggled to match their intensity. The final T20 match of the series will be crucial for Pakistan as they aim to reduce the margin of defeat and end the series on a high note. On the other hand, New Zealand will look to continue their dominance and clinch the series with another win.
