New Zealand rewrote the record books by completing the joint-fastest three-figure chase by a Full Member team in the fifth T20I against Pakistan today (March 26) in Wellington.
Having already clinched the series, New Zealand chased down Pakistan’s total of 128-9 in just 10 overs. The dominant batting performance was led by Tim Seifert, who smashed an unbeaten 97 off 38 balls while opening the innings. A staggering 86.6 per cent of Seifert’s runs came in boundaries, as he hammered 10 sixes and six fours, breaking multiple records en route.
Seifert and his fellow opener Finn Allen (27 off 12 balls) helped their team blast their way to 92-0 in the first six overs, the highest powerplay total for New Zealand ever.
Seifert finished off in style, hitting three sixes on the trot against Shadab Khan, who now has just one wicket in his last 10 T20I innings. New Zealand ended their innings at 131-2, wrapping up the chase at the halfway mark with eight wickets remaining.
5th T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan
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In the process, New Zealand matched the fastest three-figure chase by a Full Member in a completed T20I against another Full Member (non-shortened match). They had previously set this record nine years ago in Auckland, chasing Sri Lanka's 143 in the same number of overs. Romania hold the overall record for the fastest 100-plus T20I chase, overhauling Serbia’s 115-7 in just 5.4 overs without losing a wicket (2021).
The win, however, was set up by the New Zealand bowlers. Opting to field first, the hosts made full use of the seaming-friendly conditions on the Sky Stadium surface. Jacob Duffy struck twice with the new ball, while Ben Sears also picked up a wicket, reducing Pakistan to 27-3 in the powerplay.
As wickets kept tumbling, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha (51 off 39) and Shadab (28 off 20) tried to resurrect their innings, but they could only manage 128-9. James Neesham (5-22) did the most damage and was adjudged the Player of the Match for his first-ever T20 five-for. New Zealand won the five-match series 4-1.
