CHRISTCHURCH: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over New Zealand on Friday to win the tri-series Twenty20 final in Christchurch with three balls to spare.
It was a good sign for Pakistan going into the World Cup in Australia, with an opener against arch-rivals India on October 23.
After the hosts finished on 163-7 at Hagley Oval, spinner Michael Bracewell checked Pakistan's early momentum in their reply, before Nawaz stepped up with his decisive 38 off 22 balls.
Having also steered Pakistan out of trouble in Thursday's dead-rubber win over Bangladesh, Nawaz produced another stellar inning before Iftikhar Ahmed sealed victory with a six in the final over.
The Black Caps had started well with captain Kane Williamson the top-scorer with a masterful display of stroke play to chalk up 59 off 38 balls.
The hosts flew out of the traps with Finn Allen hitting three fours before he was caught by Naseem Shah for 12 off six balls.
Williamson came in to settle nerves with his first half-century in any format in 2022 after struggling for form following an elbow injury.
In reply, Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan smashed Tim Southee, on his 100th T20 international appearance, for nine runs in the opening over, then hit Trent Boult for 10 in the second.
Spinner Bracewell took the ball and grabbed the wickets of Azam and Shan Masood. Bracewell finished as man of the series.
Ish Sodhi then trapped dangerman Rizwan lbw for 34 runs off 29 balls.
But just as he did against Bangladesh, Nawaz came to the crease to wrestle back control of the match and Iftikhar's towering six with three balls left clinched victory in style.
Speaking after the match, the Pakistani skipper appreciated his middle-order batters for stepping up and perform.
“The way our team played deserves all the credit. The bowlers were brilliant at the death. The way the middle order played was outstanding. Haider and Nawaz are outstanding, so we need to step up and perform.”
Going to Australia for the mega tournament, Babar said, “we have good confidence”.
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner
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