PAK vs NZ scorecard, 5th T20I highlights: Pakistan level series with thrilling 9-run win in fifth T20I

Pakistan, on Saturday (April 27), beat New Zealand by nine runs in the fifth and final T20I to draw level in the series. Chasing 179, New Zealand were all out for 169 in 19.2 overs.

New Zealand were off to a shaky start as Tom Blundell was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi for just four runs in the first over. However, a half-century from Tim Seifert helped the Black Caps recover quickly.

However, once he was dismissed, the visitors' innings completely derailed. Usama Mir dismissed Seifert for 51 runs in the 9th over to reduce New Zealand to 81 for 2. Mark Chapman (12), captain Michael Bracewell (23) and Cole McConchie (1) departed in quick succession as New Zealand found themselves reeling at 103 for 5 in the 13th over.

James Neesham and Josh Clarkson stopped the rot but could not stitch together a big stand. They added 22 runs for the sixth wicket before Shaheen Afridi dismissed Neesham for 16 in the 15th over. On the very next delivery, the left-arm pacer sent back Zakary Foulkes for a duck to reduce the tourists to 125 for 7. 12 runs later, Afridi struck again to dismiss Ish Sodhi and left New Zealand eight down for 138 runs in the 17th over.

New Zealand's fate looked sealed at that stage. However, Clarkson was not ready to give up as he waged a lone battle. He and Ben Sears shared a 31-run stand to revive New Zealand's hopes. The stand came to an end on the final ball of the 19th over when Sears was run out for 7.

With 12 runs needed from the final over, New Zealand's challenge ended on the second ball when William ORourke was run-out while completing the second run. 

PAK vs NZ: PAK innings

Earlier in the game, Pakistan scored 178/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Captain Babar Azam starred with the bat for the hosts, scoring 69 runs off 44 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.

The Men in Green started their innings on a poor note as opener Saim Ayub failed to deliver with the bat. William ORourke dismissed him for just 1 in the second over to give New Zealand a brilliant start with the ball. However, Babar and Usman Khan did not let the visitors capitalise on the early breakthrough.

The duo shared a 73-run stand for the second wicket to steady the ship. Ish Sodhi broke the stand by dismissing Usman for 31 runs to reduce Pakistan to 81 for 2 in the ninth over. It was followed by a 42-run partnership between Babar and Fakhar Zaman. Ben Sears gave New Zealand a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Babar on the final ball of the 15th over.

In the last five overs, Pakistan scored 55 runs while losing two wickets. Fakhar Zaman scored 43 and was out in the last over while Shadab Khan's unbeaten cameo of 15 runs from 5 balls helped the home side cross the 170-run mark.

PAK vs NZ scorecard: