In the third T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the Black Caps registered a hard-fought four-run victory over the Men in Green. As a result, Tom Latham's men opened their account in the five-match series after losing the opening two contests. It was one of those T20 matches that ebbed and flowed from one direction to another until James Neesham delivered a superb final over to seal a win for New Zealand.
Chasing a target of 164 runs, Pakistan sustained a horrendous start as captain Babar Azam (1 run off 6 balls) and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan (6 runs off 10 balls) failed to deliver with the bat. The hosts sunk in deep trouble when their middle-order batters failed to convert their starts into a big score, leaving Pakistan tottering at 88/7 in 14.1 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed, who came to bat at No.8, infused life into the contest and exploded at the Gaddafi Stadium. The destructive right-handed batter took New Zealand's bowlers to the cleaners during his remarkable knock of 60 runs off 24 balls. During his innings, Iftikhar smashed three fours and six sixes, bringing Pakistan to touching distance of the target.
Iftikhar found an able ally in Faheem Ashraf (27 runs off 14 balls) and the duo combined for a 61-run stand for the eighth wicket. Needing 15 runs off the final over, Iftikhar smoked Neesham's first ball for a six that sent the crown into a frenzy. The right-handed batter smashed a four on the third ball and the equation was down to five runs needed in three balls.
Neesham then displayed nerves of steel and dismissed the Pakistan batter in the next delivery. The right-arm seamer closed the game with another wicket on the last ball of the match. Pakistan were bundled out for 159 runs in 20 overs.
Neesham finished the game with figures of 3/38 Adam Milne and Rachin Ravindra bagged two wickets each. Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi accounted for a wicket each.
Earlier, Latham won the toss and elected to bat first. The Kiwi skipper led from the front and scored 64 runs off 49 balls and was instrumental behind New Zealand posting a total of 163/5 on the board.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf bagged two wickets each while Shadab Khan chipped in with a wicket.
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