NZ vs Pak, 4th T20I: In the fourth T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, riding on Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Philips’s half-centuries, New Zealand secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, chasing down the target of 159. The Men in Green, led by Shaheen Afridi, find themselves on the brink of a series whitewash as they remain winless.
Facing early trouble at 20-3, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell played a pivotal role in the comeback, remaining unbeaten at 72, alongside Glenn Phillips, who also finished unbeaten with 70. Their unbroken partnership of 139 runs for the fourth wicket guided the Black Caps to victory in 18.1 overs.
NZ vs Pak, 4th T20I: Daryl Mitchell outcasts Pakistan to help New Zealand secure 4-0 lead in series
In the pursuit of 159, Pakistan initially gained the upper hand, courtesy of Captain Shaheen Afridi’s early three-wicket burst. However, the resilience displayed by Mitchell and Phillips proved pivotal as they orchestrated a remarkable comeback, steering New Zealand away from a challenging situation. Their unbroken partnership not only capitalized on scoring opportunities but also showcased effective running between the wickets.
Despite Shaheen Afridi’s impactful start, Pakistani bowlers, led by Haris Rauf, found it challenging to rein in the Kiwi batsmen. Rauf’s expensive spell added to Pakistan’s woes as New Zealand ultimately secured a convincing seven-wicket victory.
With the series finale scheduled for Sunday (Jan 21) at the same venue, Pakistan faces the daunting task of salvaging a win to avoid a series whitewash.
Adding to New Zealand’s triumph, Daryl Mitchell’s stellar performances in the series have earned him two Player of the Match awards from four games. His remarkable statistics across formats, including a 138.61 strike rate in T20Is, a 53.77 average in Tests, and a 52.56 average in ODIs, underscore Mitchell’s status as one of the most consistent all-format batters in recent years.
Also read: ‘Player of the Series is something new I achieved in my life and it feels really good’ – Shivam Dube
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