PAK VS NZ T20I

Right then the Kiwis stretch the lead to 4-0 against a toothless Pakistan side. The 5th and final game of the 5-match T20I series will be played on 21st January. The game will be live from 5.30 am IST (12 am GMT) but you can join us an hour early for the build-up. Till then cheers!

Daryl Mitchell is adjudged the player of the match for his brilliant knock of 72 runs.

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first the Pakistan innings started on a low again as they lost Saim Ayub in the second over of the game. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 51 off 31 for the 2nd wicket partnership. The batters found it difficult to get boundaries but managed to rotate strikes frequently. The Pakistan innings was in a sorry situation but a late surge from Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Rizwan for the 6th wicket partnership adding 32 off the last 17 helped them post a fighting total. Mohammad Rizwan was the best batter for the visitors as he smashed 90 off 60 deliveries. Mohammad Nawaz played a good cameo right at the end with 21 runs off 9 deliveries as well. The Kiwi bowlers were spot one with line and lengths. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry picked up a couple while Adam Milne took a wicket as well.

The Pakistani bowlers did start well but lost their way in the middle. The fielder let them down as well with poor fielding efforts. The skipper Shaheen Afridi took 3 in his first spell and that was it for the wickets column of the Pakistani bowlers. The side needs to think about its toothless bowling attack as that's been the reason for their demise in all the games played so far.

Chasing down a decent total, The Kiwi innings started on a low with Shaheen Afridi picking up a couple in the very first over. Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Will Young departed in a jiffy as the hosts were 3 down for 20 inside 3 overs. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell then built up a solid partnership by striking each ball on its merit and they were aided by the Pakistani fielder who were poor in the field. The duo added 139 runs for the third wicket partnership off just 93 deliveries. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten with scores of 72 and 70 respectively.

Afer being 20 for 3, the kiwis get over the line yet again, thanks to a brilliant third-wicket partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. The hosts have defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets as they go 4-0 up in the 5-match T20I series.

FOUR! MAKE THAT 4 WINS IN THIS SERIES FOR New Zealand! Haris Rauf drops it short and over off. Daryl Mitchell pulls and connects well, and places it in the gap. The ball rockets away to the deep mid-wicket fence for four runs to finish off the game.

Slow and on length outside off. Daryl Mitchell slaps it to long on for a single. These two have put up a brilliant partnership to ensure victory.

On a good length around off. Daryl Mitchell pull it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

SIX! THAT IS SMACKED! Zaman Khan bowls it full and in the slot. Daryl Mitchell lofts it over long on and the ball made a sweet sound after connecting with the bat. The ball lands straight into the stands for another maximum in the over.

Fuller now on the pads. Glenn Phillips flicks it away to deep mid-wicket to get to the other end with a single.

SIX! CRUNCHED! Zaman Khan drops it short and over off. Glenn Phillips stays back and cuts it over cover. The ball is high in the air and it has gone the distance needed as well. It lands beyond the cushions for a maximum.

Short and around off. Daryl Mitchell slices to deep point for a single.

Yorker on the off stumps. Daryl Mitchell digs it out to long off for a single. 15 runs off this over.

On the good length around off. Daryl Mitchell pulls it in the gap at deep mid-wicket to runs a brace.

FOUR! BEAUTIFUL SHOT! Full again and on middle. Daryl Mitchell picks it up over the bowler's head and keeps his elbows high. The ball bounces away to the fence for another four runs. Victory is within their reach now.