Pakistan vs New Zealand Ball by Ball Commentary

NEW ZEALAND HAVE DONE IT! On a length and on off, Mark Chapman flicks it to mid-wicket for a quick couple of runs. Incredible chase from New Zealand as they beat Pakistan by 6 wickets!

On a length and on off, James Neesham looks to play at it but gets an inside edge towards the on side. They cross.

On a length and on off, James Neesham chips it towards mid-wicket for one more. Just 3 needed off the final over now!

Short and on off, Mark Chapman gently pulls it to mid-wicket for one again.

Full again, on off, James Neesham drills it to mid off for one more.

Goes full and on off, Mark Chapman taps it to mid on for one. Just 6 needed now!

A wide yorker, James Neesham digs it towards point for one.

FOUR! Back of a length and on off, James Neesham hangs back and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. New Zealand are just a couple of hits away from the win now!

HUNDRED UP FOR MARK CHAPMAN! What a knock this has been from him. Back of a length and on off, Mark Chapman lofts it but mistimes it completely. It goes up in the air. Shaheen Afridi runs back to take it but just cannot reach it. They collect two.

A full toss, on leg, Mark Chapman clips it to square leg for a brace. 14 needed off 13 now!

FOUR! Excellent timing. On a length and on off, Mark Chapman hangs back and drives it down the ground for a boundary! He moves to 96 now.

On a length and on off, Mark Chapman slaps it back towards the bowler. Dot.

FOUR MORE! That is magnificent batting. Full and on off, Mark Chapman hangs back and drives it through covers for four more.

FOUR! Full and outside off, Mark Chapman gets low and slices it over covers for a boundary. Excellent shot!

A full toss, on off, Mark Chapman taps it to mid on for one.

A yorker, on leg, James Neesham digs it to square leg for one. It had hit his leg and the umpire calls it a leg bye.

Full and on off, Mark Chapman drives it to covers for one.

Back of a length and on off, Mark Chapman looks to slap it but gets beaten.

On a length and on middle, James Neesham flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Full and outside off, James Neesham stands tall and lofts it over mid off for a one-bounce boundary.

A yorker and outside off, Mark Chapman gets in two minds and leaves it at the end. Good end to the over from Haris Rauf! New Zealand now needs 36 runs in 24 balls at 9 rpo.

Full and on middle, James Neesham flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

A yorker and just outside off, James Neesham looks to play at it but misses.

Wide! Lands it down leg, James Neesham misses his flick. 37 needed off 27 now!

A yorker and on off, Mark Chapman digs it to mid off for one.

Wide! Bowls it down leg, Mark Chapman offers no stroke.

A yorker and on off, Mark Chapman looks to play at it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards the left of the keeper who does well to stop it.

FOUR! What a knock this has been from Mark Chapman. Back of a length and outside off, Mark Chapman moves forward and slaps it over covers for a boundary.

Brilliant running! Full length, on leg. James Neesham flicks it into mid-wicket. They take two runs. This stand between Neesham and Chapman has certainly kept the Kiwis in the game here.

Mark Chapman could not make the most of the Free Hit. Good length, in the channel. Mark Chapman helps it to point and crosses.

NO BALL! Ihsanullah is under pressure. A full toss once again, on middle. James Neesham smacks it down to long on. They take one. The umpire signals a no ball for height. Free Hit coming up.

WIDE! Ihsanullah serves a full toss, wide outisde off. It flies past the tramline. Wide called.

SIX! High and handsome. It is pitched up, on off. James Neesham says thank you very much and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence. Straight into the stands.

Full toss, on middle. Mark Chapman whips it to mid-wicket for another single.

Full length, outside off. James Neesham dabs it to point for one.

FOUR! Through the gap! It is very full, angled across, outside off. James Neesham carves it to wide of mid off, pierces the gap in the field for a boundar.

SIX! Mark Chapman connects well this time and Shadab Khan could only watch it sail over him at long on. Back of a length, on off. Mark Chapman steps outside the crease and tonks it over the long on fence.

DROPPED! Mark Chapman gets a lifeline here. Shaheen Afridi still sporting a smile on his face. Applauds the effort by Shadab Khan who spilled it out. It is a full toss, on the body. Mark Chapman goes downtown but does not connect well. Shadab Khan runs to his right from long on, does well to get to the ball but it does not stick, two runs taken.

It is fuller, outside off, swinging in as well. James Neesham tries to smack it across the line, but gets an inside edge on his pads. They cross for one.

Length, on middle. Mark Chapman makes some room, tries to hit it across the line but one hand comes off his blade. One taken.

Shaheen Afridi goes for the yorker, but it comes off as a full toss. James Neesham helps it into covers for another single.

A full toss, on the body. Chapman flicks it through square leg for a single. Azam gets his wicket-taker into the attack to break this stand.

SIX! BANG! James Neesham joins the party this time. It is a full-length ball, on off. James Neesham swats it over mid-wicket. He hits it flat and hard, and gets enough on it for a maximum. Second one of the over. 16 runs off it. New Zealand are right back in the game.

Length ball, wide outside off. Mark Chapman comes way across the off stump and cuts it to deep point for one more.

Haris Rauf goes slower this time, on leg. Neesham nudges it to mid-wicket, only for a single.

It is full, tailing into the batter. Mark Chapman digs it out to the left of the keeper. They cross for one.

SIX! What a shot! Mark Chapman is taking on Rauf here. It is a short ball, angled into the batter. Mark Chapman makes some room and ramps it over the third man fence for a maximum. Mark Chapman is doing nothing wrong with the bat here.

Good length, in the channel. James Neesham pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for one.

SIX! Mark Chapman is only dealing in boundaries at the moment. He is in some fine touch. It is pitched up, on middle. Mark Chapman smokes it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

James Neesham now pulls this short one down to long on as well and rotates the strike.

A single now as this is knocked down the park to long on.

FOUR! Incredible shot. Chapman makes his third FIFTY in this series. He is certainly grabbing the headlines for the Kiwis away from home. Flatter, on off. Mark Chapman reverse hits it through backward point for four runs.

Shadab Khan sees the batter charge down the wicket, and serves a googly, wide outside off. Neesham gets it through covers off the toe end for one.

FOUR! Pressure on the spinner straightaway. Shorter, wide outside off. James Neesham stands tall and hammers it uppishly past extra cover and finds the boundary.

Fuller, outside off. Neesham taps it to point for one.

Length ball, on off. Chapman smacks it down to long on, but Azam cuts it out this time. One taken.

FOUR! Chapman is taking on Ashraf here. It is a half-volley, on off. Mark Chapman drills it down the ground and gets a boundary once again.

FOUR! Chapman gets the second boundary of the over. Back of a length, wide of off. Mark Chapman swings hard, it catches the outer half and flies down to the third man fence.

Swing and a miss! A length ball, angled in, outside off. Mark Chapman tries to smack it down the park but gets beaten.

FOUR! Mark Chapman is on fire. Good length, outside off. Mark Chapman stands tall and crunches it through covers for four runs.

Lands it down leg, James Neesham looks to sweep it but gets rapped on his thigh. A stifled appeal, but turned down.

DRINKS BREAK!! Much-needed for the visitors. New Zealand are surely behind the 8-ball here. A partnership was brewing between Mitchell and Chapman, but Imad Wasim got rid of the former right at the cusp of the halfway mark. New Zealand need a huge stand from hereon, if they wish to get anywhere near the target. Pakistan have been on song with the ball so far. They will try to capitalise on this opening. James Neesham is the new batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! This is full and on off, Daryl Mitchell looks to loft it but mistimes it completely. The ball goes high up in the air towards long on. Haris Rauf settles under it and takes a good catch over his head. Imad Wasim gets his second wicket!

Full and on middle, Mark Chapman taps it to mid on for one.

FOUR! Fine shot. A low full toss, on off, Mark Chapman hangs back and drills it through long on for a boundary!

Wide! Lands it wide outside off, Mark Chapman offers no stroke.

Full and on off, Mark Chapman flicks it to deep mid-wicket for two more. Good fielding in the deep.

Quicker one, on off, Mark Chapman sweeps it to square leg. The misfield allows te batters to collect two.

A wide yorker, Daryl Mitchell digs it to deep backward point for a brace.

A high full toss, on off, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to mid-wicket for a brace. Oh, its a no ball. Free hit coming up...

A full toss, on off, Mark Chapman drills it to long on for one.

FOUR! Short and on leg, Mark Chapman swivels and pulls it over backward square leg as the ball races away from the fence.

Slightly shorter and outside off, Mark Chapman slaps it to backward point. It carries and lands just short of Shadab Khan. They collect two.

Short and on leg, Daryl Mitchell mistimes his pull towards the left of the keeper and runs for a single. The keeper has a shy at the batters end but misses.

On a length and outside off, Daryl Mitchell looks to play at it but gets beaten.

Flatter one, on off, Daryl Mitchell eases it to covers for a single.

Bowls it on middle, Mark Chapman flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

Full and outside off, Mark Chapman drives it but finds the man at mid off.

Another single as this is flicked towards square leg.

Bowls it on leg, Mark Chapman clips it to mid-wicket for one more.

Flatter one, on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

Quicker one, on middle, Daryl Mitchell nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Touch full and on middle, Mark Chapman tucks it to mid on for one.

Some turn and bounce, on middle, Mark Chapman blocks it back.

Bowls it on off, this is defended towards point.

FOUR! Fine shot. Full and outside off, Mark Chapman plays a reverse sweep through third man for a boundary. He has certainly silenced the crowd here.

SIX! Mark Chapman welcomes Shadab Khan with a maximum. Full and on off, Mark Chapman hangs back and heaves it over cow corner for a maximum.

Back of a length, on off, Mark Chapman guides it to third man for one.

Short and on middle, Mark Chapman hangs back and pulls it to deep square leg for a brace. Good running between the wickets!

Another one on middle, Daryl Mitchell drives it to mid off for one again.

On a length, on middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

Too full, on off, Daryl Mitchell knocks it to mid off for one.

Bowls it on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it to the man at square leg.

Ihsanullah starts his spell with a maiden. Good-length ball, angled across, on top of off. Mark Chapman is undone by the rapid pace this time. As he rolls in his crease.

Ihsanullah fires in a full delivery, outside off. Mark Chapman tries to dig it out but it comes off the bottom edge. This one comes at 149 clicks. Incredible pace.

Four dots on the trot! Back of a length, on off. Chapman is left with not much room and he dabs it out to covers.

Ihsanullah serves a good-length ball, angled across, on off. Mark Chapman defends it solidly. This climbs on the batter as well.

Length ball, on middle and leg. Mark Chapman defends it watchfully.

Ihsanullah starts with an inswinger, full and on off. Daryl Mitchell gets behind the line and works it to mid on for one.

A dot to end the over! A successful one for Wasim. Fuller, on off, Mark Chapman defends it on his front foot.

Mark Chapman is the new batter.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! New Zealand lose their wicket inside 4 overs. Chad Bowes tries to give himself some room once again, but this time he could not manage to control his shot. It is flatter and quicker, outside off. Chad Bowes ends up getting a thick inside edge and the stumps lit-up.

Flatter, on leg. Chad Bowes makes some room and cuts it to covers.

Angles it in, full and on leg. Daryl Mitchell prods and eases it out.

Chad Bowes uses his feet and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, outside off. It stays low as well. Daryl Mitchell gets it to point and crosses.

FOUR! Chad Bowes has torn apart Shaheen Afridi here. Fourth boundary off the over, all coming from Bowes' blade. Shorter, wide of off. Chad Bowes picks up the length early and cuts it to deep backward point for four runs.

FOUR! Consecutive boundries now. Gets a bit fortunate this time. It is fuller, on middle. Chad Bowes goes for the flick, but it catches the leading edge. The ball loops over backward point and races away once again. This outfield is quick.

FOUR! Incredible shot. Shaheen Afridi serves it full, on middle. Chad Bowes clears his front leg and lofts it over mid on for a boundary.

Full length, on off. Bowes toe ends it to mid on, off his front foot.

FOUR! Short ball, on middle and leg. Chad Bowes goes for the pull shot. It comes off his inner half, but the ball still manages to race away to the deep square leg fence.

Fuller, on leg. Bowes knocks it to mid on off the inner half. Good-looking shot but finds the fielder.

A dot to end the over! It is an arm ball, on leg. Daryl Mitchell gets pinged on his pads. Mohammad Rizwan pleads from behind the sticks but Wasim informs him that it is going down leg, as the umpire is unmoved.

Floated and full, on leg. Bowes uses his feet and flicks it to long on for one.

Wasim follows the batter down leg. Bowes pushes it down the ground to mid off.

On off, blocked out.

Daryl Mitchell pushes this full ball to mid off and scampers across for a quick single.

Chad Bowes finally comes on strike. Fuller, on leg. Bowes clips it to wide of long on for one.

Imad Wasim will bowl from the other end.

Very full, on off. Daryl Mitchell dabs it out to mid off.

Daryl Mitchell walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shaheen Afridi has the last laugh here and the signature celebration comes out again. Shaheen Afridi serves a length ball, around off, angled across. It straightens a touch. Will Young shuffles and tries to defend it out, but only manages to feather it behind towards the keeper. Mohammad Rizwan there makes no mistake. New Zealand on the back foot right inside the first over of this chase.

FOUR! What a shot. Will Young gets off the mark with a boundary. Much fuller, outside off. Will Young prods and crunches it along the ground, through the gap at covers for a boundary. This should give him confidence.

Fuller this time, on off, nipping in a touch. Young gets on his front foot and punches it into covers.

Shaheen Afridi nails his yorker this time, on off. Young gets his blade down in time and deals with it.

Will Young walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shaheen Afridi draws first blood instantly, off his very first delivery. Shaheen Afridi certainly loves to pick wickets in the very first over. It is a length ball, outside off, swinging away. Tom Latham gets enticed into chasing it but only manages to get an outside edge on it. The ball flies to point, where Shadab Khan takes a sharp catch.

BYE! Mohammad Rizwan walks off the field on 98, just a couple short of his ton, but he did the job for his side here. It is a slower bumper, on off. Mohammad Rizwan tries to heave it across the line but misses. They only collect a bye. Pakistan end their innings at 193/5.

Full length, on off. Ashraf pushes it to deep point for one.

Faheem Ashraf walks in.

OUT! RUN OUT! Imad Wasim gets run out here, and Rizwan won't even be on the strike here. It is a slower length ball, on off. Wasim tries to chase it but misses. He ventures out looking for a run but Latham scores a direct-hit at the striker's end. The third umpire confirms the same.

FOUR! Up and over! James Neesham misses his line once again and gets punished for it. A full toss, wide of off. Imad Wasim smacks it over extra cover for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Nicely played. James Neesham misses his line this time. Short and outside leg. Imad Wasim swivels and pulls it down to deep square leg for four runs.

WIDE A loosener from Neesham now. Goes for the wide yorker, but it comes off as a full toss, outside the tramline. Imad Wasim has no shot to offer. Wide given.

Full length, wide outsde off. Rizwan reaches out and helps it into covers but only for a single.

A dot to end the over. A solid end to the over by Milne. It is full, in the channel. Wasim gets it to short fine off the inside edge.

Mohammad Rizwan moves to 97. Fuller, angled into the pads. Rizwan flicks it down to wide long on and crosses.

Shorter, into the batter. Wasim pulls it behind square on the leg side for one.

It is fuller, on the pads. Mohammad Rizwan clips it towards long on for on. He is just a boundary away off his ton.

FOUR! Incredible short. Mohammad Rizwan races to 95. A length ball, outside off. Rizwan bends his knee and swats it powerfully to deep mid-wicket for four runs.

Swing and a miss! Adam Milne starts with a pace-up delivery, full and wide of off. Mohammad Rizwan tries to chase it but connects with thin air.

FOUR! EDGY! This surely spoils the over for Blair Tickner. A length ball, on top of off. Imad Wasim slashes hard. It takes the outside edge and flies past the keeper for four runs. Anything coming off Wasim's bat is valuable for Pakistan at this stage.

Blair Tickner is on the money once again. Slower bouncer, on off. Rizwan has no pace to work with and he only pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tickner has done well to restrict the boundary so far. A slower length ball, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan whacks it to deep mid-wicket but only for a brace.

Back of a length, on the body. Wasim pulls it to deep square leg for just one.

Slower length blall, outside off. Wasim tries to go for the reverse hit, but could not go through his shot, after changing the stance.

Fuller, on off. Rizwan pushes it to mid off for one.

SIX! BANG! Imad Wasim this time shows everyone that he can bat as well. He gets it off the middle this time, and straight down the park, like a bullet. James Neesham pitches it up, in th arc of Wasim, who dispatches it over the long on fence.

FOUR! Imad Wasim is stepping on the gas here. Taking some burden off his partner. It is a sharp bumper, outside off. Imad Wasim throws the kitchen sink at it. Imad Wasim is lucky enough to get an outside edge on it, but it does not matter how the runs come. A boundary to third man.

James Neesham attacks the pads. Rizwan flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Fuller, angled into the pads. Rizwan clips it through mid on for a brace. This is good running.

A single now as this is pushed to mid on.

MISFILED AND FOUR! Imad Wasim gets his first boundary. Shorter, on off. Wasim swats it down to long on. It goes through the legs of the fielder in the deep and into the toblerone.

Back of a length. Mohammad Rizwan rides the bounce and pulls it powerfully to deep mid-wicket from outside off. They take two runs. Expensive over from Shipley comes to an end.

Imad Wasim now gets a single, he moves to 2. Imad Wasim tucks this good-length ball off his hips and hands the strike back to the man in form.

Rizwan pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Mohammad Rizwan is putting some life back in this crowd. What a lovely shot. Henry Shipley serves a length ball, around middle. Mohammad Rizwan shuffles and scoops it off the middle, for a boundary at fine leg.

Length, on middle. Mohammad Rizwan clips it in the vacant region at mid on and collects a brace.

FOUR! Smacked! On a length, plenty of width on offer. Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and crunches it through covers for a cracking boundary.

WIDE! Henry Shipley sees Rizwan come down the wicket and spills it outisde the tramline wide of off. Wide called.

Full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for one.

A low full toss, Mohammad Rizwan sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Slower one, outside off, Mohammad Rizwan blocks it back.

Lands it on off, Imad Wasim taps it to point for one.

Bowls it on middle, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Beautiful placement. Full and on leg, Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary!

Who will walk out now? It is Imad Wasim.

OUT! TAKEN! Slightly shorter and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to pull it but mistimes his stroke. The ball goes up in the air and towards deep mid-wicket. Rachin Ravindra settles under it and takes a sitter. Iftikhar Ahmed walks back after a fine knock!

SIX! Up, up and over. Slightly shorter and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed hangs back and slaps it over long off for a biggie!

On a length and on off, Mohammad Rizwan pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Short and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed mistimes his pull. It goes up and lands safely at mid-wicket. They cross.

On a length, angling in, Mohammad Rizwan guides it to point for one.

Short and wide, Iftikhar Ahmed taps it to covers for one.

Wide! Lands it wide outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed leaves it alone.

FOUR MORE! Full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan moves forward and lofts it over extra covers for another boundary!

FOUR! Fine shot. Full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary!

Tossed up, outside off, some turn as well, Mohammad Rizwan guides it to third man for one.

Slightly shorter and on leg, Iftikhar Ahmed eases it to mid on for one.

Wide! This is too wide outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed offers no stroke.

Four! Errs his line and bowls it down leg, Iftikhar Ahmed helps it through fine leg for a boundary!

Full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan lofts it over covers for one.

Another one wide outside off, Mohammad Rizwan slaps it to deep point for one.

Bowls it wide outside off, Mohammad Rizwan looks to slap it but misses.

On a length and on leg, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it to backward square leg for a brace. Fifty up for Mohammad Rizwan. What a knock this has been!

Short and on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed pulls it to square leg for one.

Full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

SIX! On a length and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and smokes it over deep mid-wicket as the ball sails into the stands for a maximum!

Full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan sweeps it to square leg for one.

A full toss, on off, pulls it hard. Daryl Mitchell just stops it before the ropes, diving to his right. They collect two. This is superb fielding

Slightly shorter and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed slaps it to covers for one.

Slightly shorter and down leg, Iftikhar Ahmed pulls it but finds the man at short fine leg.

Too full again, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan drives it to covers for one.

Full and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed taps it to covers for one.

Drinks! Pakistan were off to a flying start but lost their skipper just before the powerplay. Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub soon followed the suit and the flurry of runs slowed down a bit. New Zealand will be looking for some quick wickets and get the game in their control. Let's see how the other half of the first inning pans out...

Shortish, around off. Rizwan taps it out to point.

Another single! Shorter, on the body. Ahmed mistimes his pull this time for one.

Good length, in the channel, Rizwan strokes it into covers for a single.

Neesham goes full, on middle and leg. Ahmed drives it down to long on for one.

SIX! BANG! Iftikhar Ahmed is going to take on Neesham. The message is pretty clear. James Neesham fires it into the pads once again. Iftikhar Ahmed smokes it beyond the square leg fence and all the way into the crowd.

FOUR! Iftikhar Ahmed treats the new bowler with a boundary. It is full, going down leg. Ahmed shuffles a touch and flicks it down to fine leg. One bounce and over the ropes.

Floated and full, on off. Rizwan prods and defends it into the deck. A tidy over from Sodhi comes to an end.

Half-tracker, down leg. Ahmed pulls it to deep square leg for one. Ish Sodhi gets lucky this time, to not get the treatment he deserves for this poor delivery.

Quicker and full, on leg. Ahmed defends it out solidly.

LEG BYE! Slider, down leg. It brushes Rizwan's pad and goes to short fine. They cross for a leg bye.

Iftikhar Ahmed now hands the strike back to the opener, as he knocks this full ball down to long on. It is all about keeping the runs ticking for Pakistan and these two batters are exactly doing that.

Flatter one, in the channel. Rizwan taps it to point and crosses.

Touch fuller, on middle and leg. Rizwan flicks it down the park for a single.

Length, on off. Ahmed pushes it out and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Nicely played. A much-needed boundary for Pakistan. Iftikhar Ahmed gets his first of the night. It is a half-volley, on the pads. Iftikhar Ahmed uses his wrists extremely well and finds the gap to make the ball reach the fence.

Shorter, into the batter. Mohammad Rizwan drags his pulls behind square leg for just one.

Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and chops this length ball to point.

Good length, on leg. Iftikhar Ahmed knocks it down to long on for a single.

Darted on the pads, Rizwan clips it through the gap at mid-wicket for a brace.

Mohammad Rizwan prods to this full one and defends it back to the bowler.

LEG BYE! Fuller, sliding down leg. Ahmed fails to clip it away. It brushes his pads and runs down to short fine. They cross for a leg bye.

Fuller, on off, blocked out watchfully.

Iftikhar Ahmed walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Ish Sodhi picks up his first wicket in only his second ball. Saim Ayub now trudges back on a duck. Pakistan are really in a spot of bother here. Ish Sodhi serves a googly, around off. Saim Ayub tries to flick it into the leg side, but is a touch early. The ball pops off the leading edge. Ish Sodhi goes to his right and takes a dolly.

Mohammad Rizwan now pushes this full one into covers for one.

A length ball, on off. Saim Ayub defends it out solidly. Blair Tickner misses out on his Hat-Trick.

Saim Ayub is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! WHAT! Blair Tickner strikes again and there is silence now across the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Mohammad Haris departs on a golden duck. He will ge gutted,as this is the first time in this series he got a chance to play and it blew it away in no time. Blair Tickner finds him on a Hat-Trick out of no where. It is a full-length ball, outisde off. Mohammad Haris tries to be fancy, he shuffles away across and tries to scoop it away over short fine leg, but does not middle it. Ish Sodhi back pedals at short fine and gathers it safely.

Mohammad Haris walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Babar Azam tries to replicate what Rizwan is doing, but holes out instead. Blair Tickner goes full, on the pads. Babar Azam stays back and flicks it aerially to deep square leg. The Pakistan skipper does not get the desired distance on it and Will Young takes a sharp catch in the deep to break the momentum of the hosts.

Good length, outside off. Azam punches it to point off his back foot.

Length, on off. Rizwan knocks it down to mid on. There is a misfield and the batters cross for one.

SIX! HUGE! This one comes off from the middle as well. Mohammad Rizwan races away to 30. It is a length ball, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan shuffles and slogs it over the mid-wicket fence.

On a length and on off, Mohammad Rizwan cuts it to backward point for one.

FOUR! Well played. Back of a length, on off, Mohammad Rizwan rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket as the ball races away from the fence.

A yorker, outside off, Mohammad Rizwan digs it to mid off.

Full and on middle, Babar Azam knocks it to mid on for one.

Bowls it on middle, Babar Azam looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. It carries and lands safely at point. They collect two.

On a length and on middle, Babar Azam taps it to mid on. Dot.

Full again, on middle, Babar Azam clips it to square leg for one. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Keeps it bowling on middle, Mohammad Rizwan turns it to square leg for one more.

Full and on middle, Babar Azam flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

On a length and on off, Babar Azam taps it to the man at extra covers.

Full again, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan knocks it to mid on for one.

Too full, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan taps it to mid on for one. An overthrow allows the batter to take one more.

Slightly shorter and on off, Mohammad Rizwan miscues his block towards short mid-wicket for a quick single.

Good length and some extra bounce, Mohammad Rizwan looks to block it but gets beaten.

Wide! Bowls it down leg, shaping away further, Mohammad Rizwan misses his flick.

Touch fuller and on middle, Babar Azam guides it towards third man for one.

FOUR! Another one on a length and some width on offer, Babar Azam steers it through covers for four more.

FOUR! Nicely timed. Touch fuller and on middle, Babar Azam hangs back and nudges it through mid-wicket. Two fielders chase but the ball wins the race.

On a length and just outside off, a bit of movement as well, Babar Azam looks to block it but gets beaten.

Back of a length, on middle, Babar Azam clips it to mid-wicket for one.

Bowls it on middle, it skids through, Babar Azam blocks it to short covers.

Slightly shorter and on off, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Two in two and this is even bigger. Touch fuller and on off, Mohammad Rizwan gets low and slogs it over deep midwicket for another maximum!

SIX! All the way. Back of a length, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan gets on his knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket as the ball sails into the stands.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan blocks it back.

Rachin Ravindra to share the new ball. So, New Zealand go with early spin now.

FOUR! Babar Azam gets off the mark in style. On a length and outside off, Babar Azam picks it well and punches it in the gap, through extra covers as the ball finds the fence.

An inswinger from outside off, Babar Azam covers his line and blocks it to mid off.

Beauty! A hint of shape away from the batter, Babar Azam looks to block it but gets beaten.

Another one outside off, Babar Azam taps it towards the point fielder. Dot.

Good length shaping it away from the right-hander, Mohammad Rizwan steers it to backward point for one.

Starts with a length ball in the channel outside off, a bit of a swing as well, Mohammad Rizwan leaves it alone.

The match is set to begin. New Zealand players are seen to be in a huddle, before they take the field. Soon Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan make their way out on the track as well with their swords in hand. Adam Milne to start with the new ball.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tom Latham (C/ WK), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham (In for Cole McConchie), Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner (In for Matt Henry).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Mohammad Haris (In for Fakhar Zaman), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Ihsanullah (In place of Zaman Khan).

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of New Zealand. They will BOWL first.

On the other hand, the visitors would want to see their seasoned players step up and level the series for them. After losing the first two matches, their batting department showed good commitment in the next two games. The New Zealand skipper Tom Latham will be hoping that the side can deliver a disciplined performance with bat and ball. Which side will come out on top? Let's find out together. Toss and team news to follow shortly...

With the series at stake, the Men in Green will try to bring their A-game and claim a series win in front of their home crowd. They will be hoping for their top-order trio to deliver the bulk of the runs. Their bowling department has done well so far in this series. They have a good side, and they will look to win this one.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! It is time for the series decider of the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand. The hosts are leading the series, winning two games, whilst the visitors have won one.  The last match was a washout, as the series stands with the hosts leading it by 2-1.

... MATCH DAY ...

It has all come down to the 5th and final T20I of the 5-match T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host this thriller between these two cricketing giants. Pakistan are coming into this game feeling a bit more at ease than their opponents, leading the series 2-1 with the washout in the previous game. The bowlers of Pakistan have been firing on all cylinders with the batters performing with the blade in their hands as well. The team has looked comfortable against the Kiwis and they would be stepping up into this game expecting to clinch the series. The hosts rely heavily on their top order to give them a solid start and would be relying on the services of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan yet again. The bowlers have always delivered for them and they would be hoping to continue the good form with the ball in their hands. The only headache for the hosts would be the batting order as Iftikhar Ahmed coming deep down at 8 in the 3rd T20I was an absolute shocker. New Zealand on the other hand, would be high on confidence as well with the top order finally clicking for them. Chad Bowes was outstanding in the previous game with the bat and the visitors would be hoping for something similar from the opener in this game as well. The bowling unit for the visitors has been a bit dull till now and the likes of Matt Henry and Adam Milne would be looking to bowl magical spells in the final T20I of this series to level it up. The game promises to be a thriller.