New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I Highlights: Allen, Seifert's Six-Hitting Brilliance Secures 2-0 Lead for Kiwis

New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I Highlights: New Zealand secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after a rain-affected match was reduced to 15 overs per side at a gloomy University Oval in Dunedin. Pakistan struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals and posting a modest 136, which was never likely to challenge the hosts. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert's explosive 66-run stand in just 4.4 overs set the tone for the chase, and despite a brief middle-order wobble, the Kiwis comfortably sealed victory with 11 balls to spare.

Pakistan might reconsider their aggressive "high-risk" strategy, which backfired spectacularly in the first T20I in Christchurch. They crumbled for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs—their lowest T20I total in New Zealand—suffering a heavy nine-wicket defeat. With three matches still to play, Pakistan has a chance to shift the momentum, though their struggles at the top continue. Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz fell for ducks in the first match, marking only the second time Pakistan lost both openers without scoring in T20Is. Their approach in the powerplay yielded just 14/4, one of the lowest tallies among top-ranked teams, and they played out 28 dot balls—the joint-most for them in a T20I powerplay.

Reflecting on their struggles, Agha Salman acknowledged Pakistan's shortcomings, stating, "It was difficult, we were not up to the mark, but we need to regather for the next game. Their bowlers hit great areas, and there was some seam movement. We'll sit down, analyze, and look to improve. The debutants will learn with experience, and with the new ball moving in New Zealand, our bowlers will aim to make an impact."

For New Zealand, it's about maintaining consistency. Kyle Jamieson (3/8 in four overs) and Jacob Duffy (4/14 in 3.4 overs) led the bowling attack, while Ish Sodhi (2/27) and Zakary Foulkes (1/11) applied further pressure, restricting Pakistan's scoring. With their current form, the Kiwis remain firmly in control of the series.