DUBAI, (Reuters) – New Zealand survived Shahid Afridi’s late onslaught to beat Pakistan by 17 runs in the second and final Twenty20 match to level the series 1-1 yesterday. Captain Afridi hit three massive sixes as he blasted 28 off 11 balls but he fell to the final ball of the 18th over and Pakistan lasted five more deliveries before being bowled out for 127.
Ahmed Shehzad top-scored with 33 but Pakistan never really recovered from slumping to 24 for three.
Jimmy Neesham claimed three for 25, including the prize wicket of Afridi, while Kyle Mills returned three for 26.
Put into bat, New Zealand got off to a strong start with skipper Kane Williamson (32) dominating a 49-run opening partnership with Anton Devcich (21).
Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez triggered a collapse when he breached Devcich’s defence with a quicker delivery before Afridi struck twice to peg back the Kiwis.
Afridi trapped Dean Brownlie leg before for a duck with a delivery that TV replays suggested would have missed the leg stump.
The leg-spinner then clean bowled Williamson as the Kiwis, cruising at 49 for nought in the seventh over, slid to 58 for three.
