Sports Desk
Wellington: Pakistan lost the fourth match of the T20I series against New Zealand by seven wickets on Friday in Christchurch, leading the opponents toward a series white-wash.
New Zealand had slipped to 20-3 in the third over of the run-chase but Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell stitched a match-winning partnership of 139 runs in 93 balls to get their side over the line with 11 balls to spare. Both players scored fifties.
Mohammad Rizwan scored unbeaten 90 runs as Pakistan set New Zealand a target of 159 runs in the fourth T20I of the series.
Rizwan scored 90 runs in 63 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Nawaz scored a quick-fire 21 runs in nine balls, which included three consecutive sixes off pacer Adam Milne in the penultimate over of the innings. Babar Azam scored 19 runs in 11 balls and added 51 runs in 31 balls for the second wicket with Rizwan.
Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry claimed two wickets each for the home side.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the fourth T20I
Pakistan have made one change with Sahibzada Farhan replacing Azam Khan in the lineup.
New Zealand opener Devon Conway was ruled out hours before the match after testing positive for Covid-19.
“Conway has been in isolation at the team’s Christchurch hotel after testing positive yesterday,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
“He will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday’s final match against Pakistan.”
Canterbury Kings batter Chad Bowes will join the squad as cover for Conway.
Bowling coach Andre Adams has also tested positive for Covid, NZC added.
Spinner Mitch Santner, who is leading New Zealand in the absence of injured regular skipper Kane Williamson, missed the series opener for the same reason.
Adam Milne comes in for his 50th T20 international for Ish Sodhi and Will Young replaces Conway.
Lineups
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philipps, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Matthew Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
