Babar Azam’s unbeaten 79 seals the win against New Zealand by six wickets

Pakistan thrashed host New Zealand by six wickets in the tri-series Twenty20 international in Christchurch.

On Saturday, Babar Azam led his team to two victories in a row in the series with an unbeaten 79 off 53 balls at a strike rate of 149.05 during a successful run chase of 148.

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in their opening game at the ground on Friday.

The three countries are using the seven-day competition as practice for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

Glenn Phillips dropped a simple catch at the point when Babar was on 27 of Tim Southee’s bowling.

The Pakistani captain continued to score his 28th T20 international half-century, which puts him on par with Rohit Sharma for second-most all-time, with both of them sitting behind another Indian, Virat Kohli (33).

Mohammad Rizwan, who had earlier hit an undefeated 78 against Bangladesh, was taken early by Southee, and the Pakistan middle order struggled throughout, apart from Shadab Khan’s 34 off 22 balls.

Babar and Haider Ali scored 21 runs off Blair Tickner’s last over, the third-last of the innings, to seal the win.