New Zealand chase down Pakistan to win 4th T20

FE Team | Published: January 19, 2024 23:22:08

New Zealand Daryl Mitchell (L) and Glenn Phillips congratulate each other at end of the fourth Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday —AFP

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 19 (AFP): Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips combined to steer New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the fourth Twenty20 international in Christchurch on Friday, placing them on the verge of a series clean sweep.
The Black Caps pair scored unbeaten half-centuries in a 139-run stand as the home side reached 159-3 in the 19th over in response to Pakistan's 158-5.
They were forced to mount a rearguard action after Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi knocked over New Zealand's top order, reducing them to 3-20 in the third over.
Mitchell scored 72 off 44 balls and Phillips 70 off 52, accelerating over the closing stages to complete victory with 11 balls to spare, having begun their partnership in a cautious fashion.
Big-hitting allrounder Mitchell said the first priority was seeing off the immediate threat of Afridi, before the pair set themselves targets.
"The way Shaheen swung it up top made it challenging so we had to take it as deep as we could," Mitchell said.
"It's about biding your time and building a partnership through to that 10-12 over mark and then keep trying to put pressure on them.
"We have different strengths and like to hit the ball to different areas, it's good fun batting with him."
New Zealand can wrap up the series 5-0 in Sunday's final match at the same Hagley Oval venue.
Pakistan paid for their inability to support opening batter Mohammad Rizwan, who crafted an unbeaten 90 off 63 balls to dominate his side's innings.
Rizwan found ways to keep the score ticking over against a disciplined New Zealand attack, led by seamers Matt Henry (2-22) and Lockie Ferguson (2-27).
The 31-year-old at times threatened to reach his second T20 international century in an innings that featured a relatively low percentage of boundaries: six fours and two sixes.
New Zealand 159 for 3 (Mitchell 72*, Phillips 70*, Afridi 3-34) beat Pakistan 158 for 5 (Rizwan 90*, Henry 2-22, Ferguson 2-27) by seven wickets