Pakistan beat New Zealand for the second consecutive time in the Dubai Sport City Stadium to wrap up the 2-T20I Series 2-0. New Zealand despite having plenty of wickets in hand fell short of a moderate target of 154.

Shahid Afridi won the toss in this second and final match and his side batted first. The openers put on 40 in 4.3 overs before last match hero Imran Nazir got bowled by Butler for a 12-ball 19. Butler then went on to remove Kamran Akmal (26 from 22) just a couple of overs after Nazir’s wicket. Pakistan fought back after this phase through Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi. The Pakistan Skipper came up with a 17-ball 22 while Umar Akmal stayed right till the end with an unbeaten 56 from 49 balls with 5 fours and a six. The youngster also picked up the Man of the Match for this responsible knock. Butler did well for the Kiwis taking 3 for 28.

The Kiwis were off to a dull start with 46 for 2 on the board in 8.1 overs. Skipper Brendon McCullum restrained himself from playing the flashy innings and tried to guide New Zealand through to victory. But he fell in the penultimate over with still 22 needed to win from 10 balls. McCullum scored 47 from 41 balls with 3 fours and a six. Scott Styris chipped in with 43 from 33 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes but couldn’t finish the game in New Zealand’s favour. The Kiwis finished at a pale 146 for 5. The Pakistani Captain Shahid Afridi was named as the Player of the Series.

Tags: Dubai, New Zealand Cricket, Pakistan Cricket, Pakistan Vs New Zealand, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal