Pakistan undergo largest T20 loss as New Zealand clinch sequence

Zakary Foulkes of New Zealand (L) celebrates his wicket of Irfan Khan of Pakistan throughout recreation 4 of the Males’s T20 sequence towards Pakistan at Bay Oval, on March 23, 2025, in Mount Maunganui. – AFP

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: The Inexperienced Shirts on Sunday suffered their largest T20 loss when it comes to runs towards all nations, as New Zealand cruised to a commanding 115-run victory at Bay Oval, sealing the five-match sequence with a recreation to spare.

Chasing a frightening goal of 221, Pakistan collapsed to 105 all out in 16.2 overs, handing New Zealand an unassailable 3-1 lead forward of the sequence finale in Wellington on Wednesday.

The loss surpassed Pakistan’s earlier worst T20I defeat — a 95-run drubbing, additionally by the hands of New Zealand in Wellington in 2016.

The vacationers endured a disastrous begin, stumbling to 9-3 inside two overs after which 56-8 on the midway stage. New Zealand seamers Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes wreaked havoc beneath the floodlights, sharing six wickets between them whereas exploiting important motion with the ball.

Irfan Khan Niazi (24) was the one Pakistan top-order batter to succeed in double figures, as key gamers Mohammad Haris (2), Salman Ali Agha (1), Shadab Khan (1), and Khushdil Shah (6) fell cheaply.

Abdul Samad (44 off 30) ensured Pakistan averted their lowest-ever T20I complete of 74 (towards Australia in 2012) and surpassed their worst rating towards New Zealand—91 all out within the first match of this sequence.

Samad was the final man to depart, stumped by Mitchell Hay off Ish Sodhi’s bowling, after Duffy had dismissed Shaheen Shah Afridi to finish his spectacular 4-20 spell.

New Zealand’s innings was spearheaded by Finn Allen, who smashed a blistering 50 off simply 20 balls, incomes him the Participant of the Match award. Allen’s explosive begin included a 19-ball half-century as he and opening accomplice Tim Seifert (44 off 22) placed on a speedy 59-run stand.

Captain Michael Bracewell later added an unbeaten 46 off 26 balls to propel the Black Caps to 220-6.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the standout bowler, taking 3-27 from his 4 overs at an financial system fee of 6.75, whereas the remainder of the assault struggled, conceding over 10 runs per over.