Watch: Iftikhar Ahmed was at his brutal best, almost rescuing Pakistan from a seemingly unwinnable as they fell just short against New Zealand.

A strong bowling performance from Pakistan kept the Black Caps to 163-5, leaving them to chase 164 for a series win. However, they soon found themselves reeling at 88-7, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dismissed early, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan all struggling to score quickly, and Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted above Iftikhar Ahmed.

However, in partnership with Faheem Ashraf, pushed down to No.9 in the order, Iftikhar effected a spectacular rebuild – an example of the Ifti-Mania phenomenon which shows no signs of dying out. He began by striking Rachin Ravindra for consecutive sixes – the last sighting of spin on the night, despite his record being better against pace, and continued to blaze away, with four followed by six off Jimmy Neesham, and a stretch of six, four, six off Milne

The pair put on 61 runs in just 4.1 overs before Faheem fell for a 14-ball 27. But Iftikhar continued to battle, with a six and a four in the final over bringing the equation down to five needed from three.

However, Neesham held his nerve, Iftikhar holiing out going for the winning hit before Haris Rauf did the same to seal a four-run win for New Zealand. Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1.

Watch the best of Iftikhar’s shots below:

🔙 to 🔙 maximums as @IftiAhmed221 flexes his power-hitting muscle 💪#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/n3SVa4jcjH

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2023

🔊 The @IftiAhmed221 and @iFaheemAshraf show gets the Lahore crowd buzzing! 🙌#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/10bEF5p9oP

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2023