In a historic achievement, Pakistan clinched a remarkable 10-run victory against New Zealand in the second T20I, securing their first-ever T20I series win against the White Ferns. This triumph also marked Pakistan's inaugural T20I series victory on foreign soil since their success against Bangladesh in October 2018.
Opting to bat after being sent in by New Zealand, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 137/6, featuring notable contributions from Muneeba Ali, Aliya Riaz, and former captain Bismah Maroof.
The visitors' batting display set the stage for an impressive victory, but it was their bowling prowess that sealed the historic win. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal struck early, removing Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Amelia Kerr, reducing New Zealand to 9/2. Pakistan's bowlers, led by Fatima Sana's stellar performance with figures of 3/22, maintained control over the proceedings, ensuring New Zealand fell short of the target.
This significant win underscored Pakistan's progress and resilience, showcasing their ability to make history on foreign soil. The third and final match of the series is set to take place in Queenstown on Saturday, providing an opportunity for Pakistan to further assert their dominance and celebrate their groundbreaking achievement against New Zealand.