New Zealand survives Iftikhar scare, snatches dramatic four-run T20 win over strong Pakistan

An inexperienced New Zealand survived Iftikhar Ahmed’s late onslaught to snatch a stunning four-run win against Pakistan and keep alive their five-match Twenty20 series.

An inexperienced New Zealand survived Iftikhar Ahmed's late onslaught to snatch a stunning four-run win against Pakistan and keep alive their five-match Twenty20 series.

Iftikhar smacked six sixes and three fours and nearly sealed the series 3-0 for Pakistan with a blistering 60 off 24 balls. But New Zealand medium-pacer James Neesham kept his nerve in the final over and Pakistan was dismissed for 159 on Monday night.

Captain Tom Latham, leading New Zealand in the absence of eight frontline players busy in the Indian Premier League, anchored the Kiwis to 163-5 with a brilliant 64 off 49 balls.

“We were pleased to get a competitive total and it's satisfying to get across the line and keep the series alive," Latham said. "The whole squad will take a lot of confidence from this match moving forward.”

Pakistan's strong top order fell and limped to 88-7 in the 15th over. Then Iftikhar counter-punched by raising Pakistan's joint fastest T20 half-century off just 20 balls.

Together with Faheem Ashraf, who made 27 off 14 deliveries, Iftikhar brought Pakistan in sight of victory with a 61-run, eighth-wicket stand.

Faheem holed out at long on in the penultimate over and Pakistan needed 15 off the final Neesham over.