Pakistan make a roaring comeback in New Zealand

Pakistan tasted their first success of the tour after demolishing New Zealand by 48 runs in their chase of 201 runs, in the second T20I played at Auckland on Thursday.

Pakistan started their second inning with a bang, after picking up success early, when Muhammad Amir lbw Colin Munro on one run in the third over.

Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson too departed without opening his account, after Haris Sohail hang on to a stunner of Rumman Raees delivery.

Martin Guptill on the other continued to click for runs before falling to Shadab Khan on 26 runs, after a soft dismissal at further slip. Tom Bruce, Glenn Philips and Colin de Grandhomme too went early, on 11, 5 and 10 runs, respectively, leaving the Kiwis on 64 for six wickets.

Mitchell Santner and Ben Wheeler stabilize the Black Caps ship, after a partnership of 54 runs, before Hasan Ali bowled Wheeler on 30. Amir picked up the key wicket of Santner, who was looking dangerous on 37 runs, before Sarfraz grabbed one in the 18^th over.

For Pakistan Faheem was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Amir and Shadab picked two wickets each, while Rumman and Hasan picked one wicket a piece.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a huge 201 runs total on the board, batting first after winning the toss, on loss of four wickets, thanks to a brilliant batting display by both openers Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad.

Zaman was playing a blistering inning and reached his fifty off 28 deliveries, including five boundaries and three sixes, before getting caught by Ish Sodhi from long leg.

Meanwhile, Shehzad, who was making his first appearance in the entire tour, looked good, minting 44 runs off 34 deliveries, including six boundaries and one maximum, before giving away his wicket to Rance.

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Babar Azam batted with great responsibility as they posted 91 for third wicket. Skipper departed after scoring 41 of 24 deliveries while Azam completed his unbeaten half century.

Ben Wheeler bagged two wickets while Seth Rance and Colin de Grandhomme shared one wicket each for the host.

Opener Fakhar Zaman declared the Man of the Match for his blistering knock of fifty off 28 deliveries. With the series 1-1, Pakistan and New Zealand would play the decider on Sunday, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.