NZ VS PAK - Final, New Zealand T20I Tri-Series 2022

Babar is presented with the trophy and he is soon mobbed by his mates who are all in fine voice out there. The World Cup isn't far away but at least for tonight and maybe a day more, Pakistan will definitely party. The major talking point about their batting has been whether they can win games without Babar-Rizwan contributions. One game doesn't define anything but even then, the fact that the middle order has stepped up in a big final will be of massive significance to them. Nawaz and Haider certainly look the part in terms of intent and tempo. Pakistan will be buzzing going into the World Cup. New Zealand will be disappointed - losing at home always hurts a bit more - but they have a talented squad and we all know how they spring surprises at ICC events. Wishing both teams the very best for the T20 World Cup. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of Venkatesh AV. Cheers!

Babar Azam | Pakistan captain: The way the team played well, all credit to them. Started well with the ball, and especially the death over were very good. Batters were great, especially the middle order who did their job. The way Nawaz and Haider are playing, outstanding. That's what you want the middle order to do - step up. The wicket behaved similar in both innings, so I don't think so (whether he regretted chasing on seeing the pitch). Before the big event, we have good confidence as a team and we hope to carry the momentum forward.

Kane Williamson | New Zealand captain: Great game of cricket. Pakistan are a very strong side. The way they changed the momentum in their favour was great. Disappointing for us. You always want 20 more runs I guess but the wicket was on the lower side and we have generally operated well this series. Credit to Pakistan, they hit the ball beautifully. There is no blame for anybody (about Sodhi's 25-run over). It's a game of small margins. Even for an over that goes for too many, you aren't far away from changing the game in your favour. That belief is crucial for us. Pakistan are a great team. Nice to make a contribution, obviously you want a few more and want to be on the winning side but it felt good. Got a par total probably, surely wanted a few more but Pakistan's death bowling was quite good. Guys all did their roles well through the tournament.

Michael Bracewell | Player of the Series: Happy with this award. But disappointing that we couldn't get the winners medal today. Have been practising in the nets a fair bit and was prepared to bowl in the powerplay. Daunting to bowl to Rizwan and Babar, but I enjoyed it. It (being a specialist offie for NZ) is different from what I do domestically. Disappointed not to get some boundaries at the end with the bat but Pakistan bowlers bowled very well at the death. A bit disappointing for us but we can take some positives into the World Cup. Feel very fortunate for the opportunities that I've got. Trying to learn as much as possible and soak up as much as I can from the other spin bowlers in our group. Feel like I have a lot more skills now than I did eight months ago.

Mohammad Nawaz | Player of the Match: I was just backing myself when I went in to bat, yesterday and today. Whatever practice I did in the nets, I was confident of executing it. Have batted in the middle order during the domestic games, so that helped me. The way Haider Ali played, gave us momentum and when Sodhi came, I was thinking that I should go at him because I was hitting with the wind. He (Haider) hit some boundaries and then I took my chances.

18:19 Local Time, 05:19 GMT, 10:49 IST: Terrific run chase from Pakistan and the fact that they have done it in a final without significant performances from the Babar-Rizwan pair will give them an incredible morale boost. 164 was a slightly under-par target but on a surface that was slightly two-paced and keeping low, NZ weren't out of the game by any stretch. And their bowlers stuck to it in the first half of the chase, picking Babar early and then stifling the Rizwan-Masood pair of any momentum although the southpaw broke the shackles briefly. Both fell to the mounting asking rate and you thought that a familiar collapse was incoming. Nawaz and Haider though, had other ideas. In a breathtaking counterattack which is so un-Pakistan like, the duo tore into the bowling with Sodhi suffering the most. The leggie was taken for 25 in an over that probably was the turning point of this chase. Haider fell shortly but he had done his job by then. Despite Asif not stepping up, Iftikhar kept his calm and gave Nawaz company till the end. The latter managed to produce clutch knocks for the second day running and a performance like this in a final certainly will give him immense self-belief. NZ will be shaken a bit. They controlled the game fairly well but once that onslaught started, they had no answers. They'll rue the finish with the bat too, clearly were about 15-20 short.

Tickner to Iftikhar Ahmed, SIX, Iftikhar finishes it in style and Pakistan lift the tri-series trophy! He had enough of singles, shuffled across early and picked this up beautifully. All the way over deep square leg. The boundary fielder was interested for a moment but it was just over him as he leapt to his right

Tickner to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run, dug in short, follows Nawaz who pulls but gets it straight towards fine leg

Williamson is having a chat with Tickner. NZ still very much optimistic and if they can get Nawaz now, you never know.

Tickner to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, slower and shorter outside off, bottom-edged cut to point and they steal a single

Blair Tickner [3.0-0-25-1] is back into the attack

Only four needed off the final over. Five wickets left in the shed.

Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, slower ball, Iftikhar waits and nudges this towards point

Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, no run, play and a miss! This stays down from a hard length and Iftikhar cannot connect the cut shot

Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, 2 runs, slower ball outside off, Iftikhar stays back and punches this behind point. In the gap and another brace. Calm batting

Southee to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run, off-cutter into the pitch, Nawaz punches but can't beat cover

Equation: 8 runs | 10 balls. KW has a chat with Southee.

Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, slower and much fuller, jammed out down to long-on

Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, 2 runs, sensible from Iftikhar! Punched this through the gap at cover and called for two instantly. Phillips at sweeper had some ground to cover going forward and it was an easy brace

Tim Southee [3.0-0-26-1] is back into the attack