New Zealand vs Pakistan Pakistan in New Zealand, 5 T20I Series, 2025

On a length, down the leg, Haris Rauf follows his close the ees and swing tradition, manages a top edge this time that hands over Will O'Rourke at deep third and he drops it. Three runs taken to close the inning. Pakistan have managed to post 128 on board.

Slower one, around leg again, Haris Rauf swings and misses out completely.

Short-pitched, around leg, Haris Rauf closes his eyes and swings hard at it. Misses out again.

A good slower one, wide of off, Haris Rauf swings for a pace-on delivery and misses out completely on this slower one.

Full and on the pads, Haris Rauf swings and misses. The ball rolls back to the keeper.

Back of a length, into the body. Haris Rauf slogs this behind mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Ali walks out last to bat for Pakistan.

OUT! A FIFER FOR James Neesham! Good length on leg, Sufiyan Muqeem looks to clear the fence down the ground but the ball gets more elevation than distance and Michael Bracewell running in from long on takes it easily.

Good length around off, Haris Rauf punches this towards off for one.

BYE! Good length, around leg, Sufiyan Muqeem looks to slog this to leg but misses and the run as the keeper collects it.

OUT! A massive scalp for New Zealand as they remove Salman Agha who could have added a lot more at the end. Short-pitched, around off, Salman Agha moves to his leg and cuts this aiming for the stands. The ball goes straight into the hands of Mark Chapman at deep point and he has to walk back now.

A brilliant effort from Ben Sears diving to his left at cover, but he fails to pouch this one. On a length around off, Salman Agha smashes this aerially but wide to the left of cover and Ben gets a hand behind it but the ball pops out. No run taken.

Four!

Back of a length around middle and off, Haris Rauf gives it a proper whack but fails to connect.

Short-pitched, around off, Salman Agha fends this through mid-wicket for one. Agha was keen on the second but Haris Rauf had slipped as he was turning for the second and they settle for a single.

Good length on off, Salman Agha dabs this to short third for no run.

Yorker on leg, following the batter to his leg. Salman Agha blocks this out on off.

FOUR! That's some stroke from the Pakistan skipper. Pitched-up around off, Salman Agha moves away from the line of it this time around and gently chips this over cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Salman Agha takes the attack to Ben Sears straightaway. Good length on the pads, Salman Agha moves inside the line of it and flicks this over backward square leg for four runs. Salman Agha will be looking to make this positive start count for his side.

What a tremendous over from James Neesham. A double wicket over and things are looking gloomy for Pakistan once again in this contest. Good length around off, Haris Rauf looks to poke at it but misses out.

Short and wide outside off, Haris Rauf looks to cut this but misses out.

Haris Rauf comes out next to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Another one for Neesham and he continues his good work with the ball. Good length around off, Jahandad Khan looks to slog this over mid-wicket but he balloons this off the outside off his bat over mid off for a simple catch to Will O'Rourke.

Good length around off, Salman Agha guides this to deep third for one.

Almost a disaster for Pakistan. Good length on off, Jahandad Khan dabs this to silly point and runs. James Neesham gives it a go and tries to run Agha out at the striker's end with a casual flick but misses barely.

Jahandad Khan walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Neesham strikes and breaks a potentially threatening partnership. Good length on off, Shadab Khan looks to slog this across the line and gets a faint edge which is taken cleanly by Mitchell Hay behind the stumps.

5 WIDES! Pressure on James Neesham straightaway. Way too wide outside off, Shadab Khan moves to his off and leaves it. The ball lands just on the pitch and it keeps going away from he keeper's reach for a boundary behind the stumps towards third man region.

FOUR! Tossed up around off, Salman Agha jumps to the pitch of it and lofts this over cover for a boundary more. 14 comes off this Ish Sodhi over.

Floated on the pads, Shadab Khan tucks this through square leg for one.

FOUR! Another one races away to the fence for four. Short of a length around off, Shadab Khan moves to his leg and cuts this through point for a boundary.

FOUR! Shadab finds the fence again. Tossed up around off, Shadab Khan moves to his leg, clears his front foot and slogs this down the ground for a boundary to long on.

Tossed up around off, Salman Agha shimmies down the ground and drills this off the inside to long off for one. It gave an impression of a wrong'un.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Salman Agha thumps this to cover-point for no run.

FOUR! Boundaries are coming in a hurry now. Good length around middle and leg, Shadab Khan slogs this one. Gets it barely over mid-wicket and the ball races after bouncing behind mid-wicket to the fence for four runs.

WIDE! Short-pitched, down the leg. Shadab Khan looks to hit this but misses out. Wided.

Short-pitched, around leg, Salman Agha gets it away to fine leg for one.

SIX! Finally, Salman Agha gets one away for a biggie. Short-pitched, wide of off, Salman Agha moves to his leg, opens up the off side and cuts this well. The ball sails over the fence and into the stand for six over deep point.

Good length around off, Shadab Khan punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Good length on off, Salman Agha guides this through backward point for a single.

Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Salman Agha goes for the pull but gets a top edge behind the keeper for a couple.

Another one, pitched short and around off this time. Shadab Khan slashes hard but gets beaten.

Too full on the pads, Salman Agha flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Salman Agha moves to his leg and looks to cut this over point but gets beaten.

Good length around off, Salman Agha defends this out on off.

Good length, around middle and leg, Shadab Khan moves to his leg and tucks this through mid on for one.

On a length around off, Salman Agha drives this to sweeper cover for one.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Shadab Khan shuffles across and cuts this past backward point for a boundary. Shadab isn't comfortable at all, but he still manages to score somehow.

Good length around leg, Shadab Khan goes for the pull but gets a top edge that lands just away from the reach of Mitchell Hay, who gave it a good chase towards square leg.

Short-pitched, around off, Shadab Khan runs down the track and looks to smash this down the ground but misses out.

On a length around off, Salman Agha smashes this to deep point for one.

Good length on the pads, Shadab Khan looks to flick this towards fine leg but gets it away off the gloves and Mitchell Hay behind the stumps dive to his left and fields this, keeping it down to a single.

Good length around off, Shadab Khan looks to slog this out of the park but gets an inside edge onto his pads for no run.

Wrong'un wide outside off, Shadab Khan drags this with a slog towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A brilliantly struck boundary by Shadab Khan. Tossed up around off, Shadab Khan shuffles to his leg and drives this all along the carpet through cover for four.

Too full around off, Shadab Khan defends this out well.

OUTFOXED! A googly right on off, gets a bit of extra bounce. Shadab Khan looks to jam this down but gets beaten on the inside and the ball has barely missed the top of off.

Too full on the pads, Salman Agha goes for the sweep, loses his balance and falls over but manages to sneak a single to square leg.

Floated around middle and leg, Salman Agha punches this to off for no run.

Back of a length on off, Shadab blocks it out on off.

Good length arond off, Shadab Khan guides this off his back foot towards backward point for no run.

Back of a length arond off, Salman Agha guides this towards point and takes one.

Good length on off, Shadab Khan dabs this to third man region for a single.

Shadab Khan walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Good length wide outside off, Abdul Samad slashes and slashes hard at it but manages to slash underneath the ball and gets it off the top edge into the gloves of Mitchell Hay behind the stumps. Abdul did try to give a poker face to the umpire but he raises his finger and Samad walks back.

Back of a length around off, Abdul Samad dabs this to backward point.

Time for Drinks! Pakistan are struggling at 52/4 at the halfway mark of their innings. They lost early wickets in the powerplay and have failed to get going yet again. Salman Agha holds the key for his side to take them to a competitive score. He will look to build decent partnerships with Abdul Samad and the batters to follow and give the bowlers something to defend. New Zealand, meanwhile, will look to keep the pressure and take regular wickets.

Floated too full, at the stumps. Abdul Samad looks to heave it across the line but gets the inside edge that rolls to short fine leg for one.

Tossed up wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Salman Agha gets across and nudges into the leg side for a quick single.

Flatter and quicker at the stumps. Abdul Samad hacks it through mid-wicket for a single. Brings up the fifty for Pakistan.

Drops it short, on the leg stump line. Salman Agha goes back and pulls this to deep square leg for one.

Floated on off. Eased to long-off for one.

Flatter on off. Salman Agha knocks this to deep mid-on for one.

Short of a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Abdul Samad sways out of the line and lets it go. A dot to end the over.

Back of a length angled into the leg pole. Salman Agha tucks it round the corner for a single.

Short of a length delivery, angled into the body. Abdul Samad stays back and guides it past the first slip toward deep third for a single.

Back of a length again, on off. Abdul Samad defends into the off-side.

Back of a length, around off. Salman Agha runs it down to deep third for a single.

Short of a length, rising delivery, just outside off. Salman Agha has a poke at it and gets beaten.

Tossed up full, outside off. Abdul Samad comes forward and bunts into covers.

Abdul Samad walks in at 6.

HOLES OUT! Usman Khan stands in disbelief. Ish Sodhi bowls a half-tracker, around the off-stump line. Usman Khan goes back and looks to power it over the ropes. Fails to get the desired connection and is caught near the wide long-on boundary by Daryl Mitchell.  Ish Sodhi gets among the wickets. Pakistan slide further.

Shortish leg break, outside off. Salman Agha cuts it off the outside edge to short third for a quick single.

Flatter on the middle stump line. Salman Agha brings out the reverse hit but mistimes it to short third.

Googly, on the middle and leg. Usman Khan tucks it through square leg for one.

FOUR! Punished! Short and wide outside off. Usman Khan stays back and cuts it hard through covers for a cracking boundary.

Time for some spin. Ish Sodhi comes on now.

Fuller than a length, around off. Usman Khan makes room and cuts this to deep third for a single. Lovely work from Jacob Duffy near the ropes to keep this to a single.

Back of a length delivery, outside off. Usman Khan looks to cut but misses.

Short of a length angled into the middle. Salman Agha pulls it off the cue end toward fine leg for a single.

FOUR MORE! Nicely Done! Back of a length delivery, around off. Salman Agha hangs back and deliberately guides it off the edge over the first slip fielder for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! Up and Over! Short of a length delivery, outside off. Salman Agha uses the pace, throws hands at it, and cuts it over backward point for a boundary.

Back of a length delivery outside off. Salman Agha looks to guide it down but does not connect.

Short of a length, just outside off. Salman Agha rides the bounce and guides it to deep third for a single.

In the air but safe! Back of a length, angled into the middle. Usman Khan goes for the pull but miscues it just over the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Back of a length, angled into the middle. Usman Khan is hurried up and mistimes the shot to square leg.

Usman Khan walks in at 5.

OUT! CAUGHT DOWN THE LEG! Jacob Duffy strikes! A loud appeal but the umpire is unmoved! Short of a good length, angled into the middle and leg. Omair Yousuf gets across the line and looks to help it over the keeper but might have gotten a faint edge on the way to Mitchell Hay. New Zealand are confident and they go upstairs to have a look. The replays show a clear spike on the glove and Omair Yousuf is a goner. Pakistan are three down.

Back of a length delivery angled into the middle and leg. Salman Agha advances and taps into the off-side for one.

Short of a length delivery, angled into the middle stump line. Omair Yousuf backs away and guides it toward deep third for a single.

Short of a good length, on off. Salman Agha comes forward and defends.

Salman Agha walks in at 4.

OUT! MOHAMMAD HARIS DEPARTS! Short and quick outside off. Haris pulls and it flies straight up in the air off the top edge. The keeper, Mitchell Hay races to his left, settles under it, and takes a good catch with the gloves. Both the openers are back in the hut.

Fuller than a length outside off. Mohammad Haris slashes at it but does not connect.

Back of a length delivery, around off. Omair Yousuf rides the bounce and runs it down to deep third for one.

Oops! That must have hurt! Back of a length just outside off. Mohammad Haris steps across and looks to whip it over the backward square leg. It rears sharply and strikes him on the chest and they take a single into the leg side.

Short of a good length, outside off. Mohammad Haris swings and misses.

WIDE! Full and angling down the leg. Mohammad Haris swings and misses. Wide to start the over.

Ben Sears comes into the attack now.

LEG BYE! Goes full, just outside off. Mohammad Haris gets across for the flick but misses and wears on the pad. The ball rolls into the off-side for a leg bye.

Duffy goes full and goes past the leg stump. Mohammad Haris advances for the drive but fails to make the connection.

FOUR! Nicely Done! Hard-length delivery, angled into the middle and leg. Mohammad Haris gets inside the line and helps it toward fine leg for a clever boundary.

Short of a good length, around off. Mohammad Haris looks to cut but fails to make any contact.

What a Ripper! Back of a length delivery, just outside off. Mohammad Haris looks to play at it but drops his wrists at the last moment and the ball goes past the outside edge.

Fuller than a length, moving away, outside off. Omair Yousuf guides it to deep third for a single.

Short of a good length, outside off. Mohammad Haris advances to flay it through covers but fails to make any contact.

FOUR! Not convincing but gets the result! Back of a length delivery, just outside off. Mohammad Haris gets across and pulls it off the inner half through the backward square leg for a boundary.

Back of a length delivery around off. Omair Yousuf runs it down to deep third for a single.

Short of a good length, just outside off. Omair Yousuf mistimes the cut shot into covers.

WIDE! Bowls it full and sliding down the leg. Omair Yousuf flicks and misses. Nice take by Mitchell Hay behind the stumps.

Short of a length, around off. Omair Yousuf cuts and misses.

Good length delivery outside off. Omair Yousuf looks to drive on the up but makes no contact.

Back of a length delivery, on a hard-length, outside off. Omair Yousuf stays back and carves it aerially, goes on the bounce to deep third for one.

Back of a length delivery, outside off. Omair Yousuf runs it down to the left of the third man and sprints back for a second.

Back of a length angled into the leg. Omair Yousuf looks to pull but gets stuck around the stomach.

Omair Yousuf walks in at 3.

OUT! SHARP CATCH! Jacob Duffy draws first blood. Bowls it on a length, on the middle and leg stump line. Hasan Nawaz looks to play across the line and closes the bat's face early. The ball takes the outside edge and flies toward the first slip where James Neesham dives to his left and takes a brilliant grab. Hasan Nawaz departs for a duck, his third in five games. Pakistan are rocked early.

Lands it short of a length and just outside the off-stump. Hasan Nawaz makes room and takes a wild mow down the ground but isn't close to making contact.

WIDE! Hard-length delivery angled down the leg. Hasan Nawaz plays and misses at it. Wide signaled.

Peach! Pitched up and swinging away sharply outside off. Hasan Nawaz follows it and is beaten past the outside edge.

Jacob Duffy will share the attack.

Mohammad Haris steps a long way across the crease outside off and O'Rourke follows him with a back of the length delivery. Haris shapes to scoop but ends up getting in a tangle as it passes the outside edge.

Back of a length delivery, outside off. Mohammad Haris slashes at it but does not connect.

Fuller than a length, outside off. Mohammad Haris swings and misses.

Short of a length delivery, angling in and going past the left shoulder. Mohammad Haris was asking for a wide but the umpire decides against it.

Short of a length, around off. Mohammad Haris has a poke at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length delivery, outside the off-stump. Mohammad Haris plays away from the body and guides it over the backward point fielder for a couple to get off the mark.

WIDE! A similar delivery moving outside the tramline. Mohammad Haris sways out of the line and lets it go. Another wide signaled by the umpire.

WIDE! Back of a length delivery, shaping away outside the tramline. Mohammad Haris flays and misses. Wide to start the innings.

Done with the pre-match formalities and we are all set to get started. Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz stride out to open the innings for Pakistan. New Zealand are in a huddle near the boundary before the spread onto the field. Will O'Rourke will start with the ball for the home side. Let's play...

The teams and match officials make their way to the ground for the National Anthems. We start with the anthem of Pakistan, followed by that of the home team, New Zealand. Live action is coming shortly.

Salman Agha, the Pakistan skipper says that the wicket is a bit grassy but they want to bat well and improve. Adds that they weren’t expecting too much swing in the previous game but shares that they need to adapt better.

Michael Bracewell, the New Zealand wins the toss and opts to bowl. Says that there might be some dew and they want to use the wicket early on and make the most of it. Adds that they have one change with Ben Sears coming in for Zakary Foulkes.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay(WK), Michael Bracewell(C), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears (in for Zakary Foulkes), Will O'Rourke.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris(WK), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf (in for Irfan Khan), Salman Agha(C), Usman Khan (in for Khushdil Shah), Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan (in for Abbas Afridi), Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem (in for Abrar Ahmed), Mohammad Ali (in for Shaheen Afridi).

Toss Update - New Zealand have won the toss and opted to BOWL.

On the other hand, Pakistan has struggled with the bat throughout the series. Aside from their successful chase in the third T20I, their batting has largely been underwhelming. Salman Agha and Hasan Nawaz have shown glimpses of form, but the rest have faltered. With the ball, Haris Rauf has been the standout performer, with Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi also showing promise. With the series already lost, Pakistan will be looking to make some changes and finish on a high note. So, who will come out on top today? Stay tuned as we bring you the toss and team updates shortly.

For New Zealand, Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, and Mark Chapman have been in explosive form, while captain Michael Bracewell has provided crucial cameos lower down the order. Jacob Duffy has been the standout bowler, with Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, and Zak Foulkes also contributing solidly. With the series already wrapped up, the home side might look to give some of their reserve players a chance to impress in this match. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fifth and final T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The Black Caps have already secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and will look to extend their winning streak, while Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride with a consolation victory to cap off the series.

…MATCHDAY…

The Sky Stadium in Wellington prepares to host the 5th and final T20I, a clash between New Zealand and Pakistan, concluding the latter's T20I tour as three ODIs are yet to be played next. With New Zealand already securing the series victory, having won three out of the four matches played, this final encounter carries a different kind of intensity. Pakistan, seeking redemption, face a dominant New Zealand side who are looking to solidify their superiority. This dead rubber match still holds a lot of pride for Pakistan. New Zealand, playing with a largely second-string squad, have showcased remarkable depth and resilience. Their openers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been explosive at the top, both providing rapid starts with impressive strike rates of over 180 so far. Mark Chapman has solidified their top-middle order, consistently delivering impactful innings at number three. Stand-in captain for this series, Michael Bracewell has provided crucial finishing touches, ensuring their batting lineup consistently delivers. The right-arm pacer, Jacob Duffy has been the standout bowler, leading the series with 11 wickets in four matches, while Ish Sodhi has stepped up in Mitchell Santner's absence, controlling the middle overs effectively as their premier spinner. Matt Henry's ongoing rehabilitation from a shoulder injury keeps him out, while Zakary Foulkes and Will O'Rourke remain in the squad, contributing to the team's balance. New Zealand are expected to maintain their dominance, having outscored Pakistan throughout the series. Their balanced approach, with both batting and bowling clicking, gives them the edge. On the other hand, Pakistan's batting woes have been the primary reason for their series defeat. Despite Hasan Nawaz's record-breaking century in the third match, his inconsistency mirrored the team's overall performance. The opener, Mohammad Haris has struggled to make an impact, failing to capitalize on his opportunities at the top. The right-arm fast bowler, Haris Rauf has been a lone warrior with the ball, while the experienced seamer Shaheen Afridi's performance has been below expectations, managing only two wickets in four games. The mystery spinner, Abrar Ahmed has offered some support in the spin department, but his expensive spells have added to Pakistan's problems. The criticism has been mounting for this young team, led by Salman Agha, who is missing the experience of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan, however, are determined to salvage some pride. Their bowling, reliant on Rauf, needs support, and their batting must find consistency. The question remains - can Pakistan's batters rise to the occasion, or will New Zealand's well-rounded team secure another victory? The Sky Stadium pitch in Wellington is known for its high-scoring nature, with short boundaries favouring the batter. Batting first has proven advantageous, adding scoreboard pressure. The weather forecast indicates favorable conditions for cricket with slightly on the cooler side. While this match is a dead rubber, both teams have distinct motivations. New Zealand aim to solidify their dominance with a 4-1 series win, while Pakistan seek to restore some pride and provide their fans with a reason to cheer. Expect a fun-filled contest.