NZ survive Iftikhar onslaught to win third Pakistan T20I
19 April 2023
Agency :
All-rounder James Neesham held his nerve in the final over to give New Zealand (NZ) a dramatic four-run win over Pakistan in the third T20 International (T20I) in Lahore on Monday despite Iftikhar Ahmed's brilliant innings.
Ahmed brought Pakistan back into the contest from 88-7 with a whirlwind 24-ball 60 as they attempted to chase down New Zealand's 163-5.
Needing 15 to win from Neesham's final over, he hit a six and a four to reduce the target to five off the last three deliveries.
But Neesham had Ahmed caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell and then after a dot ball dismissed last man Haris Rauf in the same manner.
Ahmed led the fightback with Faheem Ashraf as the pair added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Ashraf holing out after a 14-ball 27 studded with two sixes and as many fours.