Pakistan defied a five-year drought and made history on Tuesday in Dunedin with a resounding 10-run victory over New Zealand in the second Twenty20 International of their series.
With 20 overs remaining, the significantly improved Pakistan side compiled a respectable 137/6 and bowled effectively to restrict the hosts and secure the series-winning victory.
It was the first T20I series victory away from home for Pakistan since their October 2018 victory over Bangladesh, and it was also the first time in their history that they had triumphed in a series against the White Ferns.
And it was also a well-deserved victory, as former captain Bismah Maroof (21) and Muneeba Ali (35), all of whom made solid batting contributions, helped the visitors accumulate a respectable total after the Kiwis put them into bat.
Sadia Iqbal, a left-arm spinner, subsequently dismissed Bernadine Bezuidenhout (2) and Amelia Kerr (2) to assist in New Zealand’s reduction to 9/2 in response; the hosts were unable to recover as Pakistan cruised home with relative ease.
The Pakistan bowlers were most impressed with Fatima Sana’s (3/22) total, whereas Hannah Rowe lead the host team in scoring with a judiciously compiled 33.
Saturday will mark the third and final game of the series, which will take place in Queenstown.
