Iftikhar Ahmed’s 60 off 24 in vain as New Zealand remain alive in the series

A game that should have been a blowout ended as a humdinger. In extinguishing Pakistan at the last, New Zealand keep themselves alive in this series by the barest of margins, edging Pakistan out by four runs. In a game that was alive until Haris Rauf’s slog was snaffled at cow corner and a jubilant New Zealand celebrated with an impromptu lap of honour across the ground, Iftikhar Ahmed to have sealed it with a breathtaking onslaught of hitting.

New Zealand  posted 163 – their highest score of the series – thanks to a half-century from their captain Tom Latham  and cameos lower down the order, as they escaped the clutches of Pakistan’s bowling in the final nine overs and ensured their bowlers would have something to defend. The bowlers, for their part, rose up to the challenge gloriously on a day Pakistan’s touch and timing was consistently missing.

The hosts’ top order misfired and the middle order was blown away by a tidy, disciplined New Zealand, who were especially clutch with their catching and looked like they would be rewarded handsomely for it. Iftikhar and Faheem Ashraf,  who smacked a handy 27 from 14 balls, ensured that gratification would be delayed, but Neesham ensured it would not be denied altogether.

New Zealand 163 for 5 (Tom Latham 64, Daryl Mitchell 33, Haris Rauf 2-31) beat Pakistan 159 (Iftikhar Ahmed 60, James Neesham 3-38, Rachin Ravindra 2-28) by four runs