PAK vs NZ 5th T20I: Iftikhar Ahmed Shines As Pakistan Avoid Series White-Wash In New Zealand

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Iftikhar Ahmed starred with the ball as Pakistan avoided a series white-wash against New Zealand with a 42-run victory in the fifth and final T20I on Sunday (January 21) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

After setting a target of just 135, Iftikhar (3 for 24) and the spin bowling unit stepped up to bundle out the Blackcaps for 92 in 17.2 overs to seal a consolation win for Pakistan, who also ended a six-match winless run in the shortest format.

Pakistan had suffered two defeats in the final four matches of the homes series against the Kiwis back in April 2023 before Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side lost four moatches on the trot in the tour to New Zealand during this month.

On Sunday (January 21), Pakistan's spin attack which has been underwhelming throughout the five-match series rose to the occasion, with Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar leading the charge and Usama Mir providing the ideal backup.

After Zaman Khan and Nawaz provided the ideal start to the visitors in the powerplay by removing Rachin Ravindra (1) and Finn Allen (22). Usama and Iftikhar were called into action in the middle overs and managed to keep things tight.

The pressure of the required rate crept into the minds of Kiwi batters, who tried to counter with an aggressive approach, but continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

With two wickets in hand, Glenn Phillips (26) tried to fight the battle on his own with a four and then a maximum to keep NZ in the chase. But skipper Shaheen's pace got better of Phillips and then Lockie Ferguson which helped them avoid a whitewash.

Nawaz took 2 wickets while giving away 18 runs in his four-over spell. Iftikhar ended the game with three wickets in his kitty and conceded 24 runs in his four overs. Their spells played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand to 92 in 17.2 overs.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan's bid to hand Haseebullah Khan a debut in order to avoid a 5-0 series defeat didn't reap the expected award as the debutant fell in the very first over to Tim Southee.

Former Pakistan skipper and in-form batter Babar Azam, who had three fifties in the first three T20Is, struggled in his knock of 13 off 24 deliveries before falling to leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with a run-a-ball 38, while Fakhar Zaman scored a swift 33 off 16 balls, which included 4 sixes and a four. Abbas Afridi in the 19th over, sent the ball into the stands twice in Matt Henry's over to push Pakistan's total to 134/8.