PAK vs NZ scorecard, 4th T20I highlights: New Zealand take unassailable 2-1 lead with thrilling 4-run win

New Zealand, on Thursday (April 25), beat Pakistan by four runs in the fourth T20I in Lahore to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series. After scoring 178/7, New Zealand managed to restrict the home side to 174/8.

Pakistan's chase was off to a poor start as William O''Rourke dismissed their captain Babar Azam for just five runs in the second over. The hosts went on to lose two more wickets inside the powerplay. Saim Ayub got the start but could not score big and was dismissed by William ORourke for 20 runs in the fifth over.

In the sixth over, Ben Sears dismissed Usman Khan for 16 to leave Pakistan reeling at 46 for 3. Shadab Khan (7) did not last long either before Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed revived the chase with a crucial 59-run stand. During the partnership, Fakhar completed his fifty off 38 balls in the 16th over.

William ORourke broke the stand in the 17th over by dismissing Iftikhar for 23. 8 runs later, Sears dismissed Fakhar for 61 to reduce Pakistan to 146 for 6. Imad Wasim then waged a lone battle in the final overs but could not take his team to a win. With 18 runs needed in the final over, Usama Mir and Imad hit a four each but Pakistan fell short by four runs in the end.

PAK vs NZ: NZ innings:

Earlier in the game, New Zealand finished their innings on 178/7 after being asked to bat first. Opener Tim Robinson top-scored for the visitors, scoring 51 runs off 36 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes. For Pakistan, Abbas Afridi starred with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs in three overs.

New Zealand were off to a fast start thanks to Tom Blundell's quickfire knock of 28 runs from just 15 balls. He and Robinson shared a 56-run stand in less than five overs for the first wicket. Zaman Khan gave Pakistan the first breakthrough by dismissing Blundell in the fifth over.

Robinson and Dean Foxcroft shared a 38-run stand for the second wicket before Abbas Afridi dismissed the former for 51 in the 11th over. In the next two overs, Foxcroft hit three sixes to put New Zealand on the front foot again. However, Pakistan quickly struck back in the 14th over with Iftikhar Ahmed dismissing in-form Mark Chapman for just 8 runs.

Four runs later, Foxcroft was dismissed by Usama Mir as New Zealand found themselves reeling at 132 for 4 in the 15th over. Foxcroft departed after scoring 34 runs. After his dismissal, captain Michael  Bracewell's 27-run knock helped New Zealand post the 170-plus total.

PAK vs NZ scorecard: