Babar Azam-led Pakistan thumped New Zealand by five wickets in the final of Tri-Nation series. Mohammad Nawaz struck an unbeaten 38 off 22 to help Pakistan chase down 164 with three balls remaining.
After his 45 from 20 balls in Pakistan's seven-wicket win over Bangladesh a day earlier, Nawaz established himself as key member of the Pakistan middle order heading into the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
However, the foundation for the victory was laid by Haris Rauf as he bowled an economical spell to restrict New Zealand to just 163/7 in 20 overs.
Rauf bowled a sensational spell of 2/22 but what caught everyone's eyes was when his delivery on the fourth ball of the sixth over blew Glenn Phillips' bat into smithereens. The 143kmph delivery resulted in major chunk of Phillips' bat being flown as it hit the bottom edge and the ball thudded into the base of his bat.
He picked the key wickets of Devon Conway and Ish Sodhi.
Kane Williamson played a knock of 59 runs, helping New Zealand post 163/7 in allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 164, Pakistan were on the backfoot owing to slow knock played by opening batter Mohammad Rizwan but the 56-run stand between Mohammad Nawaz and Haider Ali changed the complexion of the game.
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In the end, Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 38 and 25 respectively.
Pakistan will open their T20 World Cup campaign on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against arch-rival India.
"It was a great game of cricket," Williamson said. "Pakistan are a very good side and credit for the way they turned momentum. You always want 20 more runs but I thought the total was competitive. The wicket was on the lower side and the wind was strong on the longer side of the ground but again credit for the way the Pakistan came out and changed momentum."
"I just backed myself yesterday and today on the basis of what I've done in the nets," Nawaz said. "I had belief in myself and I was backing myself to go in with a clear mind. We are looking forward to the World Cup now."
