NZ Vs PAK: After a thunderous half-century by Finn Allen and a 117-run first-wicket partnership with Devon Conway, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in the fourth match of the T20I Tri-series at Christchurch.

Chasing the target of 131, the Kiwi batter Finn Allen struck a hard-hitting 62 off 42 deliveries with 6 sixes and one four, and his counterpart Devon Conway concluded in the end with 49 runs of 46 balls, which helped New Zealand move to the top spot in the tri-series.

Earlier in the first inning, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first, which turned out to be a bad decision as Pak top order batters Rizwan (16) and Babar (21) went early, which eventually helped the Kiwi bowlers to put pressure on the visitors.

While the wickets were falling at regular intervals, Iftikhar Ahmad (27) and Asif Ali (25) played a short but crucial knock and took Pakistan to a defendable total.

The combined efforts of Michael Bracewell (2/11), Mitchell Santner (2/27), Tim Southee (2/31), and Ish Sodhi (1/23) helped New Zealand stop Pakistan to 130/7.

For Pakistan, only Shabad Khan was able to grab one wicket, the rest of the bowlers went wicketless.

With this convincing victory, New Zealand reaches the top of the table in the three-nation series.

Brief Score-

Pakistan: 130/7 (Iftikhar- 27, Asif- 25; Bracewell 2/11, Santner- 2/27)

New Zealand: 131/1 in 16.1 overs (Finn Allen- 62, Conway- 49; Shadab- 1/26)