New Zealand vs Pakistan: Second T20 cricket match – as it happened

That’s it from me Kevin Hand for now and from our first live page of the day.

New Zealand storm to a 2-0 lead in the series and Pakistan have it all to do in the final three games.

Next up we will have a live page bringing you India against Afghanistan in the second match of their series.

Then it’s over to the AFC Asian Cup 2023 when we have a live page bringing you all the build-up to Iran against Palestine as the two teams open their accounts for the tournament.

I hope you enjoyed the coverage – do join us back throughout the day but for now, it’s goodbye.

For the second match in succession, Pakistan’s bowlers found it tough going against New Zealand.

The Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi admits there’s work to do.

“Bowling first you can go for runs early on and, unfortunately, we missed the wickets – we missed that period,” he told TNT Sports.

“If you can wickets one and two then their score is 170 or 180 but the start was not good – not what we want.

“The bowlers bowled well after 10 overs but we struggled the first 10 overs.”

Finn Allen was man of the match for his 74 off 41 opening the innings.

“With the work that I have been trying to do – to be adaptable and to work through the gears – to my game it’s pleasing to see it come through today.

“We thought that 200 was a good score so we were just a little above par for sure.”

The Kiwi stand-in skipper Tim Southee, who replaced the injured Kane Williamson midway through the game, was pleased overall with the performance.

The seam bowler did say the side need to work on the mini-collapse in the second half of their innings.

“The boys set it up nicely with the bat but Pakistan pulled it back well. It was pretty similar in both innings,” Southee told TNT Sports.

“The wickets kept flowing through both innings. The work the guys did at the top made it look okay but it’s something we need to work on.

“Sodhi shouldn’t be overlooked with these two wickets. He’s also taken a couple of good catches in the first few games.”

That was comprehensive again with bat and ball from New Zealand.

Perhaps not so much so in the field but it was more than enough.

Abass scoops Southee to Sodhi at short fine-leg and bowled out of the 173.

Abbas strikes sweetly to hit Milne back down the ground the ball after Rauf clipped the hat-trick ball for a single.

Mir edges his first ball to the keeper and Milne is on a hat-trick!

That could be the game and the series.

Shaheen swings hard against but skies Milne to Southee in the inner circle.

22 is now his highest T20 international score.

Babar is out but Shaheen is continuing to hit out.

It truly was a huge six. To go so high and keep going was quite something to see.

Shaheen picks up Sears with a massive six over deep square.

Extraordinary climb and height – and it kept going.

Two to come of the over.

Babar skies an attempted drag across the line and Southee is under it at cover.

Sears with the wicket and maybe New Zealand with the match and series now.

17.1 overs bowled.

Babar cuts the last ball for a single to keep the strike.

Santner finishes with 0-47 off his four overs.

The skipper slams six over midwicket off Santner.

Two to come of the over. It’s now or never for Pakistan and they know it.

Santner’s first ball of the over is sent soaring over long-on for six by Babar.

The charge comes the very next ball and an inside edge saves him as it misses the stumps and keeper’s gloves.

Babar pulls the first ball of the over for six but Southee recovers to concede three singles off the last five balls of the over.

Finn Allen is miked up in the field by the official broadcast and says New Zealand well aware of what this match hinges on.

A single moves Babar to 50 off 36 balls.

It’s Babar or bust for Pakistan.

It’s his 32nd T20 international 50.

End of the 15th over which saw the fall of Jamal. Pakistan 127-6.

Jamal is stumped off a googly from Sodhi.

Sharp work behind the stumps by Conway.

Jamal was giving the spinner the charge, and he departs for 9.

Babar has been taking a back seat with the tumble of wickets, but as long as he’s there, Pakistan have a chance.

Jamal’s six will offer hope that Babar doesn’t have to do it alone.