Iftikhar seals it with a HUUUUGE six! that's it, and Pakistan finally get this done. It was in the slot and Iftikhar swing for the fences - and connected!. Pakistan win by four wickets, they finally get the job done. That'll do them the world of good after a difficult month in New Zealand, and maybe, maybe give them a shot in the arm before the Test series
And that brings our coverage to the end. Great series win for NZ and excellent consolation win for Pakistan. Was good fun throughout, and played in fantastic spirits, as you might expect. In front of crowds, too. I'd forgotten what that was like. I'm signing off, watch out for Al's report. Take care.
"Pakistan played very well tonight," says a slightly subdued Williamson. "I thought our first innings total was a very good one, but Pakistan showed their class in the chase. No matter what total you have to chase, you have to bat well. They put up partnerships and we struggled to break them. At times it's just as simple as that.
"I'd like to thank Pakistan for coming over and making this series possible, and giving the Kiwis some cricket to watch over this period," says Williamson. Always knows what to say and hits the right notes, does Kane
"How Rizwan and Hafeez play shows the character of this time," Shadab says. "They stand up and deliver at crucial times. It's a good learning experience for me. We learned a lot. We made many mistakes in the field and we need to improve upon that. This will boost our Test team as well, so this win's great for that, too."
Tim Seifert is the Player of the Series
. "The main thing is we got the series win but credit to Pakistan. They played very well tonight. In T20, you get a couple of wickets and it's game on. I thought our bowlers stuck to it nicely and unfortunate we couldn't get over the line."
Rizwan is, of course, the Player of the Match. "The last match of the series is very important to us because we need confidence for the Test series. It's an honour that I will be captain for that series. The management trusted me despite missing out in the first two games. They told me again and again that I will perform, and I am grateful to them. I love the Pakistan fans because they support us wherever we go."
Well, what a T20I this has been. Congratulations of course to New Zealand, for wrapping up the series; they have overall been the better side. And to Pakistan for a brilliant chase tonight that for long periods seemed unlikely.
short and wide, that cut shot needed to be a metre either side of backward point. Three off three now
this has gone straight up, and Pakistan lose Rizwan!This game is still alive. Rizwan thought it was in the slot and he looked to deposit it over cow corner like he's done so often this innings, but it goes high up. A glorious knock comes to an end, and Pakistan still need three
full ball to start off. Carves it down to cover point for a single, gets Rizwan on strike
Jamieson to bowl the final over
short ball and Iftikhar keeps the strike. Sensible batting
jasnesh: "pakistan is the manchester united of cricket. every game is a jekyll and hyde performance. "
that one's timed better, but fine leg will cut it off. Iftikhar gets another priceless two, though
Mohammad Malik: "Pakistan doing what Pakistan does best!"
an ungainly hoick, there was nothing convincing about that but no fielder out there around cow corner on the boundary. NZ had one too many in the ring and Iftikhar manages to punish them
that hat-trick ball was on the money. Tailing back in to Iftikhar and he gets a thick inside edge. Three dot balls in a row, and this is getting tricky again
Two in two! Shadab gone for a golden done. A little too close to cut and he only manages to get an edge through to Seifert. Are Pakistan going to blow this?
gets the wicket of Faheem! Is there life in this contest still? Nothing special about that ball, short and wide and there to be hit, but he only manages a faint edge, and Pakistan lose their fourth
Alam Ali: "Pakistan's game to loose now at this stage."
that's a knee high full toss, and Rizwan punishes it! Slaps him to cow corner and it nearly goes all the way. Asking rate under six for the first time now
Kahaf: "That smile on Misbah's face when Rizwan hits four depicts the face of happiest dad whose son topped in class surprisingly"
good ball, right in the blockhole. Driven down to long-on for a single
flat batted that short delivery. Didn't quite manage to get on top of it but it lands safe among two fielders
that area is proving really productive for Rizwan. Slower ball but he goes back and across and clubs him over square leg for four
clever slower delivery, Rizwan can't quite get a hold of that
that's a wide yorker, but a bit too wide for NZ's liking. Umpire calls it, too, nearly on the outer line
wide full toss, lucky not be punished with four. A sloppy throw to the non-striker's end, though, and they still scamper through for a couple
Yadullah: "Although Pakistan is in a driving seat, but we can't ignore the unpredictable nature of Pakistanis. That might be the factor for commentry team still feeling shy to give it to Pakistan." Not the worst conclusion
wider and he reaches for it and keeps the strike
six from Rizwan. He's looking to get this done in a hurry! Length ball and he moves across and smashes him over square leg
rocked back and a single down to square leg to start off
2W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
McLean Park, Napier | |
Toss | Pakistan, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2020/21 |
Player Of The Match | |
Player Of The Series | |
Series result | New Zealand won the 3-match series 2-1 |
Match number | T20I no. 1119 |
Hours of play (local time) | 19.00 start, First Session 19.00-20.30, Interval 20.30-20.50, Second Session 20.50-22.20 |
Match days | 22 December 2020 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |