Pakistan’s batting, often considered their weakness, produced a strong display against New Zealand, with the top order dominating early and setting a challenging total for their bowlers to defend.
Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed capitalized on poor fielding, building a fluent partnership that combined timing and placement, giving Pakistan momentum and confidence throughout the innings.
New Zealand began their chase cautiously, relying on their middle order to accelerate later, but Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding slowed their progress during the crucial middle overs.
Despite a late counterattack that reduced the margin, Pakistan’s varied bowling attack held firm under pressure, securing victory, while New Zealand advanced thanks to a superior net run rate.
T20 World Cup 2016
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 22 runs, becoming the first team to qualify for the 2016 World T20 semi-finals after posting 180 for 5 at Mohali, with crucial contributions from Martin Guptill.
Guptill scored 80 off 48 balls, hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes, dominating both pace and spin, while Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the tall and powerful right-hander throughout the innings.
Pakistan’s chase of 181 faltered despite Sharjeel Khan’s 47 with 10 boundaries, as Santner took 2 for 29, Sodhi dismissed Afridi, and no boundaries were scored in the final five overs.
T20 World Cup 2021
Pakistan’s bowling dominated New Zealand as Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan combined swing, pace, control, and skill to restrict the Kiwis to a modest total of 134.
The hosts controlled the game from the toss, keeping eleven of their overs to six runs or fewer, applying relentless pressure that disrupted New Zealand’s batting and forced mistakes from captain Kane Williamson.
Haris Rauf’s pace and clever slower deliveries dismantled the middle order, while Asif Ali’s late fireworks, hitting consecutive sixes, ensured Pakistan chased the target with authority and minimal resistance from the Kiwi bowlers.
Pakistan’s consistency in the UAE continued, winning every T20I there since 2016, with this flawless victory reinforcing their dominance and signaling a serious challenge for the upcoming stages of the World Cup.
T20 World Cup 2022
Pakistan recovered from their earlier loss to Zimbabwe and relied on Netherland’s unlikely win over South Africa to enter the 2022 T20 World Cup final, executing a near-perfect, disciplined game.
Shaheen Afridi’s early first-over wicket of Finn Allen, combined with seamers conceding only 53 runs in the last six overs, restricted New Zealand to a modest total of 152 for 4.
Openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dominated the chase, scoring 53 and 57 respectively, putting on a 105-run partnership, easing the pressure, and taking Pakistan to victory with five balls remaining.
In the death overs, Mohammad Haris supported the chase with crucial boundaries, Pakistan’s bowlers controlled the back-end expertly, and New Zealand’s middle order could only manage three fours in the final six overs.