NZ VS PAK - 2nd T20I, Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2024

So that's all we have to write about from this game in Hamilton. The action now moves to Dunedin with the series on the line. Can Pakistan come back with a strong reply or will New Zealand seal the deal? Join us on Wednesday, bye for now!

Tim Southee, stand-in captain: A good surface, Finn Allen and Kane set it up at the top. Milne was outstanding, Sears is a young guy showing a lot of character. And Ish shouldn’t be understated, going for 20 in his first over but coming back strong with those wickets to win us the game. He’s always a livewire in the field. The wickets kept flowing in our innings towards the end, but the guys at the top had done enough for a win.

Shaheen Afridi: To be honest, bowling first is always tricky. You can try to go for swing to get wickets, but we didn’t get any. Had we got early wickets, we could have kept them down to around 170. I think we came back strong with the ball, Haris and Abbas bowled really well, even Usama Mir.

Finn Allen | Player of the Match: Feel like I have to be adaptable and have different gears to my game, glad it came through today. I thought 200 would be a good score, and we were going good when Daryl came out to bat. (On Williamson) Hes a calming figure, we always try to bounce off each other and help each other.

22:47 Local Time, 09:47 GMT, 15:17 IST: Pakistan slump to a second defeat and this time they have only themselves to blame. They were in control of the chase for large portions of time, but the wicket of Fakhar Zaman proved to be the turning point. The visitors lost both openers early, but Babar and Fakhar rebuilt the innings. Babar was tactful while Fakhar went for the jugular, taking down Santner and Sodhi either side of the powerplay. He got to a fifty but then chopped one back onto his stumps off Ben Sears. Iftikhar and Azam Khan proved to be duds, leaving a lot to be desired from Babar. He notched up a fifty but couldn't go much further, as Pakistan fell short by 21 runs in the end. For New Zealand, Milne was sensational with the new ball and came back strong at the death to finish with 4/33. Ben Sears had another impressive outing alongside Sodhi who returned strong and was ever energetic in the field as well. Over to the presentations now.

Southee to Abbas Afridi, out Caught by Ish Sodhi!! On a length just outside off, Abbas Afridi shuffles in and tries to ramp. Hits it straight to Sodhi at short fine. He gestures towards the floodlights saying he couldn't see that ball till the very end, but the man has made no mistake. Pakistan lose again, NZ go 2-0 up! Abbas Afridi c Ish Sodhi b Southee 7(5) [6s-1]

Southee to Abbas Afridi, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Southee to Haris Rauf, 1 run, on a length angling onto the hips, edged onto the body and deflects towards fine leg

Southee to Haris Rauf, no run, slower delivery outside off, Rauf with a swipe across the line that he edges through to the keeper. Was dying down on Conway as he dived forward. Lands into his gloves on the bounce. Won't be the end of the game!

Tim Southee [3.0-0-30-1] is back into the attack

Milne to Abbas Afridi, no run, short outside off, a swing and a miss

Milne to Abbas Afridi, SIX, what a hit!! Overpitched delivery on middle, Abbas Afridi gets under it and hoists it straight down the ground. Hits through the line and hits clean, first six in International cricket.

Milne to Haris Rauf, 1 run, yorker length delivery, glanced towards deep mid-wicket with comfort. Plays the hat-trick ball without much of a fuss

Haris Rauf, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Milne to Usama Mir, out Caught by Conway!! good length and just outside off, Mir stays deep for a big swipe across the line. Angles away him and takes the edge through to the keeper. On a hat-trick and on the cusp of a victory! Usama Mir c Conway b Milne 0(1)

Milne to Usama Mir, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Usama Mir, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Milne to Shaheen Afridi, out Caught by Southee!! Pace off and full outside off, Shaheen with a big slog across the line. Toe-ends it high in the air and Southee from mid-off runs back slightly to complete his second catch. There goes another one for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi c Southee b Milne 22(13) [4s-1 6s-2]

Milne to Shaheen Afridi, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Milne to Shaheen Afridi, FOUR, full and wide outside off, Shaheen with a powerful drive through extra cover for a boundary. To the right of the fielder and runs away for four!