Suzie Bates' big day in Dunedin has finished in disappointment, Pakistan beating the White Ferns by 10 runs today to claim the T20 international series.
It was only Pakistan's second T20 international victory over New Zealand and it came after Sunday's win on the same University Oval pitch, the venue renamed the Suzie Bates Oval today in recognition of the 36-year-old's 300 internationals.
And, like on Sunday, the White Ferns' below-par batting was the main culprit for the defeat.
New Zealand, who won the toss and elected to bowl, would have been confident at the halfway stage after limiting Pakistan to 137-6.
The dangerous Muneeba Ali top-scored with 35 off 28 balls before a sharp caught and bowled by Hannah Rowe, with player of the match Aliya Riaz contributing 32 not out off 22. The free-scoring Aliya scored 25 not out in Sunday's seven-wicket victory.
Molly Penfold was New Zealand's best bowler with 2-17, with Fran Jonas also picking up two wickets.
In reply, New Zealand were quickly in trouble, with opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout bamboozled by the left-arm spin of Sadia Iqbal and bowled for two off the third ball of the innings and Amelia Kerr out for two in the third over after picking out the short midwicket fielder.
Worse was to come when Sophie Devine and Bates, the latter a little fortunate not to be run out for five, were out within two balls of each other in the sixth over.
Devine played on when playing an expansive drive to Fatima Sana, and Bates, who scored 18, also played on when attempting to guide a straight delivery through the vacant slips area.
New Zealand were teetering at 29-4 at that point but Maddy Green's 18 off 23 and Georgia Plimmer's 28 off the same number of balls — her highest T20 international score — gave the White Ferns a chance.
They needed 50 runs off the final four overs –—a tall order — but as long as Hannah Rowe (who top-scored with 33 off 24) was there they were a possibility.
After scoring 15 runs off the penultimate over, the home side required 18 off the last. Pakistan had an excellent LBW shout turned down off the first ball and Rowe was eventually bowled with three balls remaining and 12 runs to get.
Devine said afterwards: "There were too many small errors throughout the game. Yes, we got close and Georgia Plimmer and Hannah Rowe got us closer than we probably expected but as batters we have to have a look at ourselves.
"Credit to Pakistan, they outplayed us today."
The final match of the series is on Saturday in Queenstown.
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