A record partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips has led the Black Caps to another victory over Pakistan, the pair putting on 139 runs to give New Zealand a seven-wicket victory in Christchurch.
It looked like Pakistan were going to pick up their first win of the series when Shaheen Shah Afridi ripped through the Black Caps top order, picking up the wickets of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Will Young in his opening spell to reduce New Zealand to 20/3 and put the home side under the most pressure it’s felt all series.
Without Allen, who had scored 40% of New Zealand’s runs in the first three matches, the mantle fell to the middle order pairing of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
Mitchell and Phillips grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The two experienced batsmen set about rebuilding the innings, slowly building a partnership working the ball around the ground.
It was an excellent example of pacing a run chase, as they kept the required run rate at a manageable level without taking many risks.
It wasn’t all flawless though. Pakistan missed some huge chances that could have swung the game back in their favour.
The first came in the 10th over when Mitchell top edged a sweep off spinner Mohammad Nawaz only for fielder Mohammad Wasim to let it bounce in front of him when he could have taken just a couple more paces in off the rope and taken a comfortable catch.
Mitchell got another life in the 14th over when Sahibzada Farhan shelled an absolute sitter at long-on. The ball slipping through his hands was almost a metaphor for the game slipping away from Pakistan.
Both Phillips and Mitchell brought up half centuries as their partnership eclipsed 100, and put their foot on the gas as the target got into their sights.
The boundaries flowed and the pair cruised over the line with 11 balls to spare. Mitchell finished not out on 72 off 44, while Phillips finished unbeaten on 70 from 52.
New Zealand had started the game strongly, with Matt Henry snicking off the dangerous Saim Ayub for one in the second over.
Mohammad Rizwan was key to Pakistan’s innings, playing an anchor role and carrying his bat to finish up with an unbeaten 90 off 63.
He struggled to find support until Mohammad Nawaz came in late and bashed a trio of consecutive sixes on his way to 21 to help Pakistan through to 158/5 from their 20 overs.
Adam Milne was the primary target, conceding 21 from his final over as Nawaz gave him no mercy.
Matt Henry (2-22) and Lockie Ferguson (2-27) were the pick of the bowlers, while Mitchell Santner was his usual miserly self without picking up a wicket, going for just 23 from his four overs.
Mitchell was named man-of-the-match for his efforts with the bat, and said after the game he and Phillips had been intent on building a partnership after the early collapse.
"We knew when the ball is a bit harder and new it’s swinging and doing a little bit more up top so it’s about biding your time and building a partnership through that 10-12 over mark and keep trying to put pressure on them from there. We had targets we wanted to stay at the whole time and luckily enough we were able to," Mitchell said.
"I love batting with GP. We play different sides of the wicket and different areas and just try to run as hard as we can and put them under pressure. It’s always good fun."
Black Caps captain Santner credited the pair for managing the chase extremely well, "like they always do".
"Credit to Shaheen, he bowled amazing up front to get those three wickets early but they [Phillips and Mitchell] did their thing and soaked it up for a little then applied the pressure a little later on.
"We had to fight, but the way they went about it, got put under pressure, soaked it up. I guess it’s one of those wickets where if you get in and get used to the pace and bounce you can cash in."
Pakistan's captain Afridi said the missed chances cost his side the game.
"I think the way we started was very good but unfortunately in the middle overs we didn’t grab our opportunities.
"If we took those missed chances I think we would’ve won."
The victory gives New Zealand a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The fifth and final game will be played at the same ground in Christchurch on Sunday.
Follow the summer of cricket with TVNZ this summer.
SHARE ME