Corey Anderson whacked a career-best 82 not out as New Zealand set Pakistan an imposing 197-run target in their deciding Twenty20 in Wellington..
Anderson, who missed the first half of the New Zealand summer because of injury, was at his big-hitting best in only the third match since his return.
He came to the crease when New Zealand were struggling to rebuild their innings after they lost two quick wickets following another flying start by Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson.
Anderson faced 42 deliveries and hit six fours and four sixes as he led New Zealand to 196-5, the highest Twenty20 total at Westpac Stadium.
At the head of the innings Guptill continued on from his unbeaten 87 in the second match with 42 off 19 balls as New Zealand raced to 57 in the first six overs.
But when Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi brought himself on he captured Guptill’s wicket in his first over and crucially arrested the pace of the New Zealand innings.
Afridi opted to bowl after winning the toss, quoting the history of the stadium where all six previous Twenty20 fixtures have been won by the side batting second.
He had reason to feel he was in control when Colin Munro followed Guptill to the crease and faced only three balls before he ran himself out.
Williamson had played a circumspect innings until he started to force the pace when Anderson was settling in and was caught for 33 off 34 balls.
Ross Taylor faced only four balls before he retired hurt, and with New Zealand’s top order rapidly returning to the pavilion Anderson took it upon himself to regain control.
Wahab Riaz was the most successful of the Pakistan bowlers with two for 43.
The three-match series is tied after Pakistan won the first tie by 16 runs and New Zealand won the second by 10 wickets.
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Match summary
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 95 runs in the third and final Twenty20 in Wellington to wrap up the series 2-1.
After being sent into bat, New Zealand made 196-5 with Corey Anderson not out 82. In reply, Pakistan were all out for 101 in the 17th over.
Sarfraz Ahmed made 41, while bowling for New Zealand Grant Elliott took three for seven and Adam Milne three for eight.
Man of the match: Corey Anderson
Comprehensive again by New Zealand, almost looked like Pakistan had no chance from the start of the game. The Pakistan fans will be wondering how the team managed to beat the machine that this New Zealand side is, they are big favourites for the World T20 in March!
New Zealand won by 95 runs, seal series 2-1
PAK 101
Over 16.1 (0 runs, 1 wicket)
M Amir 1* (7)
16.1: WICKET! Wahab Riaz, the last man, falls. Pakistan lose the game by 95 runs. New Zealand seal the three-match series 2-1.
Adam Milne continues.
PAK 101/9
Over 16 (3 runs)
M Amir 1* (7) | Wahab Riaz* 4* (4)
15.6: No run
15.5: No run
15.4: 1 run
15.3: 1 run
15.2: No run
15.1: 1 run
McClenaghan comes in to bowl the 16th over of the innings.
PAK 98/9
Over 15 (5 runs, 1 wicket)
M Amir 0* (3) | Wahab Riaz* 2* (2)
14.6: No run
14.5: No run
14.4: No run
14.3: WICKET! Anwar Ali is gone. Adam Milne forces an outside edge off his bat and wicketkeeper Ronchi claims a clean catch. NZ just one wicket away to seal the series.
14.2: FOUR! Anwar Ali guides it into the gap on the off side.
14.1: 1 run
Milne into the attack again.
PAK 93/8
Over 14 (3 runs, 1 wicket)
Anwar Ali 4* (5) | Wahab Riaz* 1* (1)
13.6: No run
13.5: 1 run
13.4: WICKET! Sarfraz falls too after a well played knock of 41 off 36 balls. He sweeps it straight into the hands of short third man fielder.
13.3: 1 run
13.2: 1 run
13.1: No run
Elliott continues.
PAK 90/7
Over 13 (13 runs)
S Ahmed* 40* (33) | Anwar Ali 3* (3)
12.6: 1 run
12.5: FOUR! Sarfraz again! Brilliant timing, into the gap on the off side.
12.4: (wd), FOUR! Sarfraz hits it for a nice looking boundary.
12.3: 1 run
12.2: 1 run
12.1: 1 run
Munro comes to bowl.
PAK 77/7
Over 12 (4 runs, 2 wickets)
Anwar Ali* 1* (1) | S Ahmed 30* (29)
11.6: 1 run
11.5: WICKET! Imad Wasim departs as well. Guptill takes a stunning catch!
11.4: 1 run
11.3: (wd), WICKET! Afridi falls on run-a-ball 8. Pakistan six down.
11.2: 1 run
11.1: No run
Elliott into the attack now.
Afridi finally gets one in the middle
PAK 73/5
Over 11 (11 runs)
S Afridi 8* (7) | S Ahmed* 28* (26)
10.6: No run
10.5: 1 run
10.4: (wd), 2 runs
10.3: No run
10.2: 1 run
10.1: SIX! Afridi smacks it over covers.
Boult comes back to the attack.
PAK 62/5
Over 10 (7 runs)
S Afridi* 1* (4) | S Ahmed 25* (23)
9.6: (wd), 1 run
9.5: No run
9.4: 1 run
9.3: No run
9.2: FOUR! Sarfraz guides it towards the third man. Clever shot!
9.1: No run
McClenaghan continues.
PAK 55/5
Over 9 (0 runs, 1 wicket)
S Afridi 0* (2) | S Ahmed* 20* (19)
8.6: No run
8.5: No run
8.4: WICKET! Umar Akmal departs. Not a great shot, fell prey to NZ’s trap of placing a fielder just where he loves to hit most.
8.3: No run
8.2: No run
8.1: No run
Milne into the attack.
PAK 55/4
Over 8 (6 runs)
S Ahmed 20* (19) | U Akmal* 5* (9)
7.6: 2 runs
7.5: 1 run
7.4: 1 run
7.3: 1 run
7.2: No run
7.1: 1 run
Mitchell McClenaghan is the bowler.
PAK 49/4
Over 7 (7 runs)
S Ahmed* 17* (16) | U Akmal 3* (6)
6.6: 1 run
6.5: No run
6.4: 1 run
6.3: 1 run
6.2: No run
6.1: FOUR! Sarfraz hits a nice boundary.
Santner comes into the attack.
PAK 42/4
Over 6 (4 runs)
U Akmal 2* (5) | S Ahmed* 11* (11)
5.6: 2 runs
5.5: No run
5.4: 1 run
5.3: 1 run
5.2: No run
5.1: No run
Adam Milne has been brought in to bowl the sixth over.
New Zealand making these catches look really easy
PAK 38/4
Over 5 (7 runs, 1 wicket)
S Ahmed 10* (10) | U Akmal* 0* (0)
4.6: 2 runs
4.5: WICKET! Malik departs. Anderson takes another one. He wanted to go over the top, but mistimed, McClenaghan takes a stunning catch.
4.4: 1 run
4.3: No run
4.2: No run
4.1: FOUR! Sarfraz frees his arm this time. Smacks it into the gap on the off side.
Anderson continues.
In and out
PAK 31/3
Over 4 (14 runs)
S Malik 14* (5) | S Ahmed* 3* (5)
3.6: FOUR! Malik follows it up with another boundary. The good thing for Pakistan here is that despite losing three quick wickets, their runrate hasn’t gone down.
3.5: FOUR! Malik again! Showing his temperament and class! Drives it into the gap on the off side.
3.4: 1 run
3.3: No run
3.2: 1 run
3.1: FOUR! Stand and deliver. Maliks drives it through the gap on the off side. High quality shot!
Boult into the attack.
PAK 17/3
Over 3 (3 runs, 2 wickets)
S Ahmed 2* (3) | S Malik* 1* (1)
2.6: No run
2.5: 2 runs
2.4: No run
2.3: WICKET! Rizwan gone too. Run out! It was never a single, he just throws away his wicket. Pakistan in trouble.
2.2: 1 run
2.1: WICKET! Ahmed Shehzad departs early too. He pulls it powerfully, but Trent Boult takes a good catch at boundary.
Corey Anderson continues.
PAK 14/1
Over 2 (7 runs, 1 wicket)
Mohammad Rizwan 4* (3) | A Shehzad* 8* (5)
1.6: FOUR! Rizwan cuts it into the gap for a boundary.
1.5: No run
1.4: No run
1.3: 1 run
1.2: 2 runs
1.1: WICKET! Hafeez beaten by the slow pace of the ball. Pakistan lose their first wicket.
Trent Boult into the attack.
PAK 7/0
Over 1 (7 runs)
A Shehzad 5* (3) | M Hafeez* 2* (3)
0.6: FOUR! Ahmed Shehzad drives it into the gap on the off side.
0.5: No run
0.4: 1 run
0.3: No run
0.2: 1 run
0.1: 1 run
Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez walks down to the crease to begin Pakistan’s innings. Corey Anderson takes the new ball for New Zealand.
Innings Break
NZ 196/5
Over 20 (8 runs)
C Anderson* 82* (42) | M Santner 3* (3)
19.6: 1 run
19.5: 2 runs
19.4: 2 runs
19.3: 1 run
19.2: 1 run
19.1: 1 run
Amir comes into the attack to bowl the final over of the innings.
NZ 175/4
Over 18 (16 runs, 1 wicket)
L Ronchi* 1* (1) | C Anderson 65* (34)
17.6: 1 run
17.5: 2 runs + WICKET! Elliott is run out courtesy Anwar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed’s combined effort on the field.
17.4: 1 run
17.3: SIX! Elliott converts a classical cover drive into a big one.
17.2: 2 runs
17.1: FOUR! Elliott hits a nice boundary.
Imad Wasim continues.
NZ 188/5
Over 19 (13 runs, 1 wicket)
C Anderson 76* (38) | M Santner* 1* (1)
18.6: FOUR! Again! Thick outside edge and the ball fly past over the short third man fielder.
18.5: FOUR! Unfortunate for the bowler. Thick outside edge, third man was up in the circle, the ball races away to the fence.
18.4: 2 runs
18.3: (wd) + 1 run
18.2: 1 run
18.1: OUT! Luke Ronchi departs. A bit of a drama towards the end of innings. NZ eyeing 200 mark, and Pakistan looking for last-moment wickets.
Wahab Riaz into the attack.
Shot of the day?
NZ 159/3
Over 17 (15 runs)
C Anderson 63* (33) | G Elliott* 6* (10)
16.6: SIX! Anderson smashes it straight down the ground.
16.5: 1 run
16.4: 1 run
16.3: (1nb) + 1 run
16.2: FOUR! Outside off, Anderson edges it to fly over the point.
16.1: No run
Wahab Riaz has been brought back into the attack.
NZ 144/3
Over 16 (15 runs)
G Elliott 4* (8) | C Anderson* 51* (28)
15.6: No run
15.5: 1 run
15.4: FOUR! Thick outside edge, third-man up, Anderson completes his half-century.
15.3: SIX Anderson smacks it out of the park.
15.2: 2 runs
15.1: 2 runs
Amir into the attack.
NZ 129/3
Over 15 (5 runs)
G Elliott 4* (7) | C Anderson* 36* (23)
14.6: No run
14.5: 1 run
14.4: 1 run
14.3: 1 run
14.2: 1 run
14.1: 1 run
Imad Wasim continues.
Corey Anderson picks up the rate
NZ 124/3
Over 14 (9 runs)
G Elliott 3* (4) | C Anderson* 33* (20)
13.6: No run
13.5: 1 run
13.4: No run
13.3: 1 run
13.2: 1 run
13.1: SIX! Anderson takes on the Pakistan skipper. Lofts it over long on.
Afridi comes into the attack.
NZ 115/3
Over 13 (5 runs)
C Anderson* 25* (16) | G Elliott 2* (2)
12.6: 1 run
12.5: 1 run
12.4: 1 run
12.3: 1 run
Ross Taylor has left the field due to a side strain. Grant Elliott on the crease now.
12.2: 1 run
12.1: No run
Imad Wasim returns.
NZ 110/3
Over 12 (16 runs)
R Taylor 6* (4) | C Anderson* 22* (12)
11.6: (2wd), FOUR! Ross Taylor cuts it into the gap for a boundary.
11.5: SIX! That has gone all the way. Anderson pulls it on the leg side. Brings up 100 for NZ.
11.4: 1 run
11.3: No run
11.2: 1 run
11.1: 1 run
Shoaib Malik has been brought into the attack by Pakistan skipper Afridi.
Williamson continues to march on
NZ 94/3
Over 11 (9 runs, 1 wicket)
C Anderson* 15* (10)
10.6: OUT! Williamson is gone (after a long time)! He attempts to go over the top, but Malik runs in from long on to catch him out.
10.5: 1 run
10.4: FOUR! Short, Anderson hoicks it over mid-wicket.
10.3: No run
10.2: No run
10.1: FOUR! A loose delivery, Anderson glances it towards fine leg.
The last 10 overs of the innings. Wahab Riaz into the attack.
NZ 85/2
Over 10 (11 runs)
K Williamson 33* (33) | C Anderson* 6* (5)
9.6: No run
9.5: SIX! Williamson manages to lift this one to go over the rope. Mighty six on the leg side.
9.4: No run
9.3: 1 run
9.2: 1 run
9.1: 3 runs
Afridi continues.
NZ 74/2
Over 9 (9 runs)
K Williamson 26* (29) | C Anderson* 2* (3)
8.6: No run
8.5: FOUR! Another boundary to the NZ skipper. Slow delivery, the batsman hits it over long off.
8.4: No run
8.3: FOUR! Full toss, Williamson need not to think much about it. Smacks it in front of square.
8.2: 1 run
8.1: No run
Anwar Ali comes in to bowl the 9th over of the innings.
NZ 65/2
Over 8 (2 runs)
K Williamson 18* (25) | C Anderson* 1* (1)
7.6: No run
7.5: 1 run
7.4: 1 run
7.3: No run
7.2: No run
7.1: No tun
Afridi into the attack.
Electric Rizwan removes Munro
NZ 63/2
Over 7 (6 runs, 1 wicket)
K Williamson* 17* (20) | C Anderson 0* (0)
6.6: 1 run
6.5: OUT! Brilliant show on the field. Lighting-quick Rizwan shows character and presence of mind. Munro departs on 4(3).
6.4: 1 run
6.3: 1 run
6.2: 1 run
6.1: 2 runs
Anwar Ali back into the attack.
Afridi picks up the big one
NZ 57/1
Over 6 (5 runs, 1 wicket)
K Williamson* 15* (17)
5.6: OUT! Afridi does it! Guptill, in his attempt to free his arms and go over the top, mistimed and Umar Akmal takes a neat and clean catch. Pakistan bounce back with a wicket at a crucial stage of the game.
5.5: 1 run
5.4: 1 run
5.3: 1 run
5.2: No run
5.1: Two runs
Skipper decides to bring himself in to try to provide his team with a breakthrough.
NZ 52/0
Over 5 (6 runs)
M Guptill 41* (17) | K Williamson* 11* (13)
4.6: No run
4.5: No run
4.4: 1 run
4.3: No run
4.2: 1 run
4.1: FOUR! Finding gaps are no difficult for NZ batters. Williamson just flicks it towards fine leg and the ball races away to the fences. No fielder in sight.
Another bowling change for Pakistan. Wahab Riaz takes the ball.
Pakistan last got a wicket against New Zealand in the first T20 on January 15.
NZ 46/0
Over 4 (6 runs)
K Williamson 10* (11) | M Guptill* 36* (13)
3.6: FOUR! Williamson succeeds in sending it through the gap on the leg side.
3.5: No run
3.4: No run
3.3: 1 run
3.2: 1 run
3.1: No run
Amir continues.
Guptill’s last ten innings
-87* (T20)
-2 (T20)
-63 (T20)
-58 (T20)
-102 (ODI)
-27 (ODI)
-27 (ODI)
-30 (ODI)
-93* (ODI)
-79 (ODI)
-50 (Test)
NZ 40/0
Over 3 (17 runs)
M Guptill 35* (12) | K Williamson* 5* (6)
2.6: FOUR! Guptill cuts it past the point fielder. NZ on fire!
2.5: FOUR! That should have been stopped. Umar Akmal miscalculates the ball’s landing and couldn’t do much other than to watch it go over the ropes.
2.4: SIX! There’s no stopping Guptill. Another biggie! Clears the front leg, and lofts it over mid-wicket.
2.3: 1 run
2.2: 1 run
2.1: 1 run
Things aren’t looking good for Pakistan from the start. Imad Wasim introduced into the attack.
Guptill’s off
NZ 23/0
Over 2 (7 runs)
M Guptill 20* (8) | K Williamson* 3* (4)
1.6: FOUR! More power to Guptill! Goes back in the crease, makes some room for himself, improvise it a bit, and smacks it through covers.
1.5: No run
1.4: 1 run
1.3: 1 run
1.2: 1 run
1.1: No run
Mohammad Amir comes into the attack to tame dangerous-looking NZ openers.
NZ 16/0
Over 1 (16 runs)
M Guptill 15* (5) | K Williamson* 1* (1)
0.6: SIX! Anwar Ali’s slower delivery has been given a fine treatment by Guptill. A massive six over mid-wicket.
0.5: FOUR! Guptill again. The ball isn’t swinging. The batsman smashes it over the mid-off fielder for a powerful strike.
0.4: 1 run
0.3: 1 run
0.2: No run
0.1: FOUR! Guptill has the license to kill on his favourite ground. Glorious cover drive to star off affairs for his team.
Anwar Ali takes the new ball for Pakistan. For Kiwis, Martin Guptill and captain Kane Williamson open the innings.
Teams are on the field. A minute’s silence is being observed at the Wellington Regional Stadium in respect for Charsadda attack victims.
Playing XI
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi (W), Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Ross Taylor and Mitchell McClenaghan.
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (W), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali and Mohammad Amir.
