Pak down Kiwis in thriller, go 1-0 up

ABU DHABI: Left-arm pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi defended 17 runs in the last over as Pakistan defeated New Zealand by two runs in a thrilling finish to the first T20 here on Wednesday.

New Zealand needed six off the last delivery to tie the match but Ross Taylor managed just a boundary as New Zealand — set 149 to win — finished at 146/6 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The victory gave world No 1 ranked Pakistan their seventh consecutive win since July and 15th in 17 T20 internationals this year.

Pakistan, who are on a roll after whitewashing Australia 3-0 in Dubai on Sunday, now have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with the last two matches in Dubai on Friday and Sunday.

Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with 45 in Pakistan’s 148/6 after the hosts opted to bat.

Taylor finished with a 26-ball 42 but could not keep the run rate

down as New Zealand needed 53 in the last five overs. That was in contrast from the first five overs of their innings, dominated by opener Colin Munro’s 42-ball 58. Pakistan’s varied bowling, led by Hasan Ali’s 3/35, pulled them back significantly.

“I thought Shaheen (Afridi) and Hasan (Ali) were superb and we were once again led admirably by bowlers,” said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 148/6 in 20 ovs (M Hafeez 45, A Milne 2/28) beat NZ 146/6 in 20 ovs (H Ali 3/35) by two runs.