LAHORE, Pakistan, April 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Skipper Babar Azam hit a solid
half century while spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed four wickets as
Pakistan overcame New Zealand by nine runs in the fifth and final Twenty20
international in Lahore on Saturday.

Azam's 44-ball 69 and Fakhar Zaman's 33-ball 43 took Pakistan to 178-5 in
their 20 overs before Shaheen claimed 4-30 to restrict New Zealand to 169 in
19.2 overs, squaring the series at 2-2.

But Pakistan's win only came in the final over with 12 needed as Josh
Clarkson 38 not out threatened to pull off a heist, but two run outs in
Mohammad Amir's over sealed the home win much to the delight of a full house
at Gaddafi Stadium.

The first match of the series was abandoned while Pakistan clinched the
second and New Zealand the third by identical seven-wicket margins -- all in
Rawalpindi.

New Zealand took the fourth match, also in Lahore, by four runs.

The series gave both the teams a kickstart to their preparations for the
Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies in
June.

While Pakistan would be disappointed not to have won a series against a
depleted New Zealand side missing a host of players due to Indian Premier
League, unavailability and injuries, the visitors got a boost from their
bench strength.

Shaheen gave Pakistan an ideal start by dismissing Tom Blundell for four in
his first over -- his 15th wicket in his opening over of a Twenty20
international -- and 50th in all T20 matches.

Tim Seifert put New Zealand back on track with an aggressive 33-ball 52 --
his ninth T20I half century containing seven boundaries and two sixes.

He added 76 for the second wicket with skipper Micheal Bracewell (23) but
from 81-1 New Zealand lost four wickets in the space of 25 balls for the
addition of just 22 runs.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir (2-21) had Seifert and Mark Chapman (12) while fellow
spinner Shadab Khan accounted for Bracewell as New Zealand's chase was
derailed.

Shaheen returned for a second spell to dismiss James Neesham (16), Zak
Foulkes (nought) and Ish Sodhi (three) in successive overs.

Earlier, Azam saw his opening partner Saim Ayub fall in the second over for
just one but that did not deter him as he added 73 for the second wicket with
Usman Khan who made a brisk 24-ball 31.

Azam hit six boundaries and two sixes in his 34th T20I half-century before he
was bowled by pacer Ben Sears in the 15th over.

Zaman hit four boundaries and a six before he was smartly caught by Chapman
on the boundary off Foulkes as Pakistan managed 55 in the last five overs.

Shadab Khan hit a six and a four in his five-ball 15 not out.

New Zealand made three changes as they brought back Seifert, Cole McConchie
and Foulkes while pace spearhead Shaheen returned for the home team.