Pakistan level T20I series with victory over New Zealand

Lahore: In the fifth T20I match, Pakistan levelled the series as it beat New Zealand by nine runs on Saturday.

Pakistan had set 179-run target for Kiwis.

The Kiwis could score 169 runs while chasing the target against loss of three wickets.

Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first. The national team scored 178 runs, losing 5 wickets.

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam remained the top scorer with 69 runs, followed by Fakhar Zaman with 43 and Usman Khan with 31 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed scored 6 runs, while Saim Ayub scored 1 run before getting out.

From New Zealand's side, James Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, William O'Rourke, and Zak Evans each took one wicket.

Squads:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi