PAK VS NZ - 5th T20I, New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 2024

So, that's it from our side. After being bowled out for 90 in the second T20I, the inexperienced NZ side showed great all-round skills to come roaring back into the series with back-to-back wins. They were in with a shot to win the final T20I as well but Pakistan held their nerves when it mattered to deny them. Pakistan got what they wanted from this series. They tested their bench strength and tried out different combinations which will hold them in good stead before the T20 World Cup. Pakistan will now travel to Ireland for a 3-match T20I series before their tour of England. Keep following Cricbuzz for fascinating cricketing updates from all around the globe. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

The trophy is being shared by Babar Azam and Michael Bracewell as they pose for photographs with beaming smiles on their faces! It has been a brilliant series

Babar Azam: The fast bowlers were getting swing early on. After the powerplay, Usama got help from the wicket, we did what we felt best according to the situation, we used eight bowlers today and four of them were spinners. It becomes difficult when you have so many options. Shady (Shadab Khan) has a great experience, he can bowl well in the middle overs. Usama Mir bowled a brilliant spell today. Here the new ball comes on nicely to the bat, when the ball becomes old, the cutters hold a bit. The way we planned, it didn’t go accordingly and I felt we were 10 runs short but it was still a par score. As a batsman, you have to be proactive, you have to mark the fielders and pick your spots, you also have to focus on strike rotation. Throughout the series, we tried different combinations, we tinkered with the batting order, we tried different bowlers at different stages, we will focus on where we can improve.

Michael Bracewell: I think it’s a fair reflection of the series, I’m very happy that we came here and adjusted to the conditions. Credit to Pakistan, they were brilliant today. We lost a couple of wickets in the middle and we lost momentum there, Usama Mir and Shaheen Afridi bowled really well and that is where we lost momentum. It has been a great series, it’s been a great experience playing in these conditions and the debutants did well. I think the way we were able to learn from every game and adapt was really good.

Shaheen Afridi | Player of the Match & Series: Whatever is happening, it's good for the team. I try to strike with the ball, also try to contribute with the bat and in the field. The ball was keeping a bit low and so we focused on bowling wicket-to-wicket and also on variations and it worked. When the ball is reversing, I try to mix things up but the yorker is the best ball in any format.

23:00 Local Time, 18:00 GMT, 23:30 IST: We have witnessed another thrilling game in this series and Pakistan have held their nerves to notch up a victory to end the series on a high. Credit to the Kiwis for giving the hosts a run for their money. The run-chase didn't start off on a bright note for NZ as Blundell was knocked over by Afridi in the first over itself. But, Seifert took the attack to the opposition and hit the ball all around the park. Bracewell promoted himself up the order and played the perfect foil to the keeper-batter. Seifert brought up a 29-ball fifty but Usama Mir ended his stay soon after and he bowled a wicket-maiden to change the momentum of the game. Chapman also fell to Mir in his next over. After that, Shadab and Imad took a wicket in their first over each. Then, Shaheen Afridi returned for his second spell and took two wickets in two balls to exert pressure on the visitors. Afridi also trapped Sodhi in front in his final over to finish with a 4-fer but Clarkson kept his side in the hunt with his big hits. It came down to the last over and Amir held his nerves to help his side end up on the winning side. Stick around for the presentations...

Amir to Josh Clarkson, out William ORourke Run Out!! 1 run completed! That's the game! A length ball on off, Josh Clarkson hits it towards long-on and calls for the second run. ORourke is running towards the danger end. The throw comes flat and accurate. Amir collects it and takes the bails off. William ORourke is miles short of his ground. Pakistan level the 5-match T20I series 2-2. Customary handshakes all around. William ORourke run out (Shadab Khan/Amir) 0(0)

Amir to Josh Clarkson, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Amir to Josh Clarkson, no run, brilliantly bowled! A searing yorker outside off, Josh Clarkson looks to dig it out but misses

William ORourke, right handed bat, comes to the crease

11 runs needed off 6 balls!

Amir to Ben Sears, wide, out Ben Sears Run Out!! Perfect start to the final over for Pakistan! A wide delivery down leg as the ball carries through to Usman Khan. The batters try to sneak in an extra run as Usman Khan lobs the throw back to Amir and he takes the stumps off to catch Ben Sears short. Ben Sears run out (Usman Khan/Amir) 7(6) [4s-1]

Amir to Ben Sears, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

NZ need 12 runs off 6 balls!

Abbas Afridi to Josh Clarkson, no run, that's a beauty! A pinpoint yorker just outside off, Josh Clarkson looks to carve it behind square on the off-side but only meets thin air.

NZ need 12 runs off 7 balls!

Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, 1 run, a full-toss shaping in on off, Ben Sears mishits it through wide mid-on. The batters search for the second run but it's not on

Abbas Afridi to Ben Sears, wide, that's a wayward delivery! Abbas Afridi searches for the yorker but ends up bowling a full-toss down leg. He needs to reload it

Abbas Afridi to Josh Clarkson, 1 run, a length ball around off, Josh Clarkson hits it towards long-off for only a single

Abbas Afridi to Josh Clarkson, no run, a very full ball outside off, tailing in, Josh Clarkson swings across the line but only meets thin aiir. It was in the slot actually and Josh Clarkson would be disappointed with himself