Pakistan win the T20I tri-nation series by beating New Zealand in the final Christchurch, with a match-winning performance from all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz, a much-needed boost for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup. The green shirts chased 164-target in the last over of the game.

All-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed led the tourists to victory in style by hitting six on Blair Tickner’s delivery, as one of the commentators said that “Pakistan do it in style” when they needed two runs in four deliveries in the final over of the game.

Nawaz, who made 38 off 22 balls, said that he always backs himself as it was the second consecutive game where he made a crucial knock in the middle order to ensure his side was going to the pavilion happily.

“I have been batting well in the middle order in domestic cricket which is helping me and out there it was just executing the plans,” he said after receiving the player of the match award.

Michael Bracewell was crowned player of the series for his bowling. He said he was privileged to play for New Zealand and trying to improve by learning from other spinners.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson congratulated Pakistan on the victory, saying that the tourists were a competitive side and they bowled and batted really well.

He thought that the target was defendable but gave credit to Pakistan bowlers.

“Delighted” Babar praised Nawaz for back-to-back good performances. “All credit goes to the boys for the way they played. We bowled brilliantly at the death and the middle order did the trick,” he said, “we have good confidence going to the World Cup and would like to take the momentum forward.”

Pakistan scorecard

Batting

• Mohammad Rizwan: 34 (29)
• Babar Azam: 15 (14)
• Shan Masood: 19 (21)
• Mohammad Nawaz: 38 (22)
• Haider Ali: 31 (15)
• Asif Ali: 1 (2)
• Iftikhar Ahmed: 25 (14)

Bowling

• Naseem Shah: 4-38-2
• Haris Rauf: 4-22-2
• Mohammad Wasim: 4-37-0
• Shadab Khan: 4-30-1
• Mohammad Nawaz: 4-33-1

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand on Friday in the final of the week-long Twenty20 tri-series in Christchurch.

Both teams are using the tournament as a last tune-up for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Having sat out New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh on Wednesday, Black Caps captain Kane Williamson returned, replacing Martin Guptill, while bowler Blair Tickner was in for Adam Milne.

Pakistan made one change from the team which squeezed past Bangladesh on Thursday with bowler Haris Rauf replacing Mohammad Hasnain.

“We want to put out one more good performance before we go to the World Cup,” said New Zealand bowler Tim Southee, who was making his 100th T20I appearance.

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (capt), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Umpires: Alex Wharf (ENG), Shaun Haig (NZL) TV Umpire: Wayne Knights (NZL) Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)