All-round Pakistan beat New Zealand by 48 runs in 2nd T20I

Auckland, Jan 25 (CRICKETNMORE):  Pakistan shone with bat and ball to defeat New Zealand by 48 runs in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) at the Eden Park here on Thursday.

Pakistan thus levelled the series 1-1 after the hosts won the first match by seven wickets at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. 

After electing to bat first, Pakistan top order batsmen Fakhar Zaman (50), Ahmed Shehzad (44), Babar Azam (50 not out) and Sarfraz Ahmed (41) delivered brilliant knocks to help Pakistan reach 201/4 at the end of their innings. 

For New Zealand, medium-pacer Ben Wheeler returned figures of 2/36. 

In response, New Zealand were bowled out for 153 runs in 18.3 overs as a result of some disciplined bowling from medium-pacer Faheem Ashraf (3/22), pacer Mohammad Amir (2/28) and spinner Shadab Khan (2/37). 

For the hosts, who came into the match with a 1-0 lead, opener Martin Guptill (25), and lower-order batsmen Mitchell Santner (37), Ben Wheeler (30), Ish Sodhi (15) got amongst the runs but failed to convert in into match winning knocks. 

However, barring Guptill, the top and middle order batsmen consisting of Colin Munro (1), skipper Kane Williamson (0), Tom Bruce (1), Glenn Phillips (5) and Colin de Grandhomme (10) fell in quick succession. 

The teams will play the third and final T20I, which will also be the series decider on January 28 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. 

Brief scores: Pakistan 201/4 (Fakhar Zaman 50, Babar Azam 50 not out; Ben Wheeler 2/36) against New Zealand 153 (Mitchell Santner 37, Ben Wheeler 30; Faheem Ashraf 3/22)