Seifert, Neesham star as New Zealand thrash Pakistan in 5th T20I

Tim Seifert and James Neesham produced individual brilliance as New Zealand humiliate Pakistan in fifth T20I at the Sky Stadium in Willington on Wednesday.

Seifert smashed an unbeaten 97 off 38 with the help of six boundaries and 10 maximums as they chased 129-run target in just 10 overs with eight wickets to spare.

He was well supported by Finn Allen, who scored 12-ball 27.

Sufiyan Muqeem picked up both wickets for Pakistan and conceded just six runs. Apart from him, no bowler managed to resist against New Zealand, who clinched the series 4-1.

Seifert was also involved in a one-side 28-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell, who scored two not out.

Earlier, James Neesham took a maiden five-wicket haul as New Zealand restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 128-9 in their 20 overs.

The visitors had no answer to swinging deliveries from Will O’Rourke and Jacob Duffy. They were reduced to 3 for 25 in the power-play.

Opener Hasan Nawaz, who is playing his fifth game, bagged third duck of the series. His partner, Mohammad Haris scored 11 off 17 deliveries, while Rookie Omair Yousuf made just seven.

Abdul Samad and Usman Khan fell cheaply after scoring four and seven respectively.

Their dismissals had reduced Pakistan to 52/5 in 10.2 overs until skipper Agha and experienced all-rounder Shadab recorded an anchoring partnership.

The duo added 54 runs for the sixth wicket to give Pakistan a slim chance. Shadab was removed by James Neesham on the first delivery of the 17th over.

The all-rounder scored 28 off 20 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Neesham, then sent Jahandad Khan packing to further dent Pakistan.

Agha also fell victim to Neesham in the penultimate over and walked back after top-scoring for Pakistan with a 39-ball 51.

Neesham completed his fifer by removing Sufiyan Muqeem. He ended up with figures of five for 22 from his four overs.

Duffy took two wickets, while Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears chipped in with one scalp apiece.

Teams

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Mohammad Ali