Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi help Pakistan draw T20 series with New Zealand. cricket news

With the help of a strong half-century from captain Babar Azam and four wickets from leader Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by nine runs in the fifth and final Twenty20 International in Lahore on Saturday. Azam’s 69 off 44 balls and Fakhar Zaman’s 43 off 33 balls took Pakistan to 178-5 in 20 overs, before Shaheen claimed 4-30 to restrict New Zealand to 169 in 19.2 overs And leveled the series 2-2. But Pakistan’s victory only came in the final over when 12 runs were required as Josh Clarkson was threatening to pull off a heist after scoring 38, but Mohammad Amir was out for two runs in the over, much to the dismay of the packed crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium. Home victory was sealed for Khushi.

The first match of the series was abandoned while Pakistan won the second and New Zealand won the third by the same margin of seven wickets in Rawalpindi.

New Zealand also won the fourth match in Lahore by four runs.

The series gave both teams a kickstart to their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and West Indies in June.

Although Pakistan will be disappointed not to win the series against a weak New Zealand team, which is suffering from several players missing due to Indian Premier League unavailability and injuries, the visitors have been boosted by their bench strength.

Shaheen gave Pakistan an ideal start by dismissing Tom Blundell for four runs in his first over – his 15th wicket in the opening over of Twenty20 Internationals – and 50th in all T20 matches.

Tim Seifert got New Zealand back on track with an aggressive 52 off 33 balls – his ninth T20I half-century which included seven fours and two sixes.

He added 76 runs for the second wicket with captain Michael Bracewell (23), but at 81-1, New Zealand lost four wickets, adding just 22 runs in 25 balls.

Leg spinner Usama Mir (2-21) dismissed Seifert and Mark Chapman (12), while fellow spinner Shadab Khan dismissed Bracewell, derailing New Zealand’s target.

Shaheen dismissed James Neesham (16), Jack Foulkes (zero) and Ish Sodhi (three) in consecutive overs in the second spell.

Earlier, Azam saw his opening partner Sam Ayub get out for just one run in the second over, but it did not matter to him and he added 73 runs for the second wicket with Usman Khan, who scored 31 runs in 24 balls. Played a fast innings.

Azam hit six fours and two sixes in his 34th T20I half-century before being bowled by fast bowler Ben Sears in the 15th over.

Zaman hit four fours and a six, before he was cleverly caught at the boundary by Chapman off Foulkes, as Pakistan could only muster 55 runs in the last five overs.

Shadab Khan hit one six and one four in his unbeaten 15 runs in five balls.

New Zealand made three changes and brought back Seifert, Cole McConchie and Foulkes, while fast bowler Shaheen returned for the home side.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)