The highly anticipated five-match T20I series between the Pakistan national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team has concluded, providing cricketing fans with edge-of-the-seat entertainment, record-breaking performances, and a dramatic finale. The series, played across Rawalpindi and Lahore in April 2026, ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw after the first match was washed out, showcasing the depth and resilience of both sides as they fine-tuned their preparations for major ICC events.
This comprehensive series report breaks down the full scorecards, key moments, and match-winning performances from every encounter in this unforgettable contest.
Series Overview: A Tale of Two Capitols
Series Result: The five-match T20I series was drawn 2-2, with one match abandoned due to rain .
Player of the Series: Michael Bracewell (New Zealand)
The series was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams. Pakistan started strongly with a dominant win in Rawalpindi, but New Zealand, led by the inspirational Michael Bracewell and match-winner Mark Chapman, fought back to level the terms. The series swung back and forth, with fortunes changing in every game, leaving the final result in balance until the very last match in Lahore .
Series Schedule at a Glance
Match 1: 1st T20I – Rawalpindi (April 18)
Rain Plays Spoilsport in Series Opener
The much-anticipated series opener at the Pindi Cricket Stadium was a massive disappointment for the packed crowd as persistent rain played spoilsport. After the toss was delayed, the covers remained on the pitch for most of the evening. The match was officially abandoned after just two balls were bowled, with no further play possible .
Result: Match Abandoned (No Result)
Impact: The washout meant the series remained 0-0, pushing both teams to be more aggressive in the remaining four games.
Match 2: 2nd T20I – Rawalpindi (April 20)
Pakistan”s Bowlers and Rizwan Rout New Zealand
In a stunning display of pace bowling, Pakistan bounced back in emphatic fashion to trounce New Zealand by seven wickets. The highlight of the match was Pakistan’s bowling attack dismantling the Black Caps for a paltry 90 runs .
New Zealand Innings: A Spectacular Collapse
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan’s decision paid off immediately. Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone by dismissing opener Tim Seifert cheaply. The hero of the hour, however, was the returning Mohammad Amir. Playing his first international for Pakistan in nearly four years, Amir made a fairy-tale comeback, claiming the crucial wickets of Tim Robinson and Dean Foxcroft in a sensational spell .
The spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan tightened the screws in the middle overs, ensuring New Zealand never recovered. The entire side was skittled out for just 90 runs in 18.1 overs.
- New Zealand Top Scorers: Dean Foxcroft (20), James Neesham (15)
- Pakistan Bowling Stars:
Pakistan Innings: Milestone Man Rizwan Finishes It
Chasing a modest target of 91, Pakistan lost opener Saim Ayub early. However, captain Babar Azam (c) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan steadied the ship. During his knock, Rizwan achieved a historic milestone, becoming the fastest player in T20I history to reach 3,000 runs . Despite losing Babar and Usman Khan in quick succession, Rizwan, alongside Irfan Khan Niazi, guided Pakistan home with an unbroken 36-run partnership .
Brief Scorecard:
- New Zealand: 90 all out (18.1 overs)
- Pakistan: 91/3 (17.2 overs)
- Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Amir
Match 3: 3rd T20I – Rawalpindi (April 21)
Mark Chapman”s Masterclass Levels the Series
If the second T20I was about Pakistan’s bowling, the third was a one-man show from New Zealand’s Mark Chapman. In front of a holiday crowd of 16,000, Chapman played a breathtaking knock to silence the home fans and square the series .
Pakistan Innings: Shadab and Babar Provide Platform
Sent in to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178/4. Openers Babar Azam (37) and Saim Ayub (32) provided a brisk start of 55 runs. However, it was Shadab Khan who provided the late fireworks, smashing 41 runs off just 20 balls, while Muhammad Irfan Khan remained unbeaten on 30. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with figures of 2/25 .
New Zealand Innings: The Chapman Show
Chasing 179, New Zealand lost early wickets but were well-placed at 53-2 thanks to Tim Robinson (28) and Tim Seifert (21). What followed was a batting clinic from Mark Chapman. He was dropped twice—on 16 and 36—and made Pakistan pay dearly .
Chapman forged a match-winning 117-run partnership with Dean Foxcroft (31). He reached his fifty in style and accelerated dramatically, smashing four sixes and nine fours in his unbeaten knock of 87 off just 42 balls. He dismantled the pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in the death overs, sealing the victory with ten balls to spare .
Brief Scorecard:
- Pakistan: 178/4 (20 overs)
- New Zealand: 179/3 (18.2 overs)
- Result: New Zealand won by 7 wickets
- Player of the Match: Mark Chapman (87* off 42)
Match 4: 4th T20I – Lahore (April 25)
O”Rourke and Robinson Clinch Nail-Biter in Lahore
The series moved to Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, and the fourth T20I produced a thriller. New Zealand held their nerve to secure a narrow four-run victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the series .
New Zealand Innings: Robinson”s Fifty Sets the Tone
Opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s decision looked good initially, but New Zealand’s openers fired. Tim Robinson led the charge with a fluent 51, providing a solid foundation. Contributions from Tom Blundell (28) and captain Michael Bracewell (27) propelled the visitors to a competitive total of 178/7. Young pacer Abbas Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with impressive figures of 3/20 .
Pakistan Innings: Fakhar Fights, But Pakistan Falls Short
Pakistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start as captain Babar Azam was dismissed for just 5 runs. Despite starts from Saim Ayub (20) and Usman Khan (16), the required run rate kept climbing. Fakhar Zaman played a heroic knock, scoring a resilient 61 off 45 balls to keep Pakistan in the hunt. However, he lacked support from the other end. William O’Rourke was the destroyer-in-chief for New Zealand, taking 3/27, while Ben Sears chipped in with two crucial wickets. Despite a late cameo from Imad Wasim (22*), Pakistan finished at 174/8, falling just four runs short .
Brief Scorecard:
- New Zealand: 178/7 (20 overs)
- Pakistan: 174/8 (20 overs)
- Result: New Zealand won by 4 runs
- Player of the Match: William O’Rourke (3/27)
Match 5: 5th T20I – Lahore (April 27)
Nawaz and Ali Seal Series in Final-Over Thriller
With the series on the line, Pakistan and New Zealand saved the best for last. In a rain-shortened 19.3-over contest at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Pakistan chased down 164 runs in a tense final-over finish to level the series 2-2 .
New Zealand Innings: Williamson”s Fifty Anchors Kiwis
After winning the toss and electing to field, Pakistan’s bowlers were put under pressure. Veteran batsman Kane Williamson played a masterful innings, scoring a brilliant fifty to anchor the New Zealand innings. He received support from Glenn Phillips, as the pair added a crucial 50-run partnership. New Zealand finished their 20 overs at a solid 163/7 .
Pakistan Innings: Nawaz the Hero with Ball and Bat
Pakistan’s chase began steadily, but they lost wickets at regular intervals, finding themselves in trouble at one stage. However, a stunning lower-order resurgence turned the game on its head.
Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the unlikely hero. After bowling a tight spell, he walked in with his team under pressure and played the innings of his life. He smashed a rapid 24 off just 12 balls during a frantic partnership with Haider Ali, who contributed a blazing 27. The pair added 50 runs in just 22 balls to bring the equation down to the wire .
In the final over, needing a few runs to win, Nawaz held his nerve to guide Pakistan home with 3 balls to spare, securing a famous 5-wicket victory and ensuring the series ended in a draw .
Brief Scorecard:
- New Zealand: 163/7 (20 overs)
- Key Performer: Kane Williamson (50 off 33)
- Pakistan: 168/5 (19.3 overs)
- Key Performer: Mohammad Nawaz (24* off 12 & key bowling spell)
- Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz
- Player of the Series: Michael Bracewell (NZ)
Series Summary and Key Takeaways
The five-match T20I series, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate, was the perfect warm-up for both teams as they looked ahead to future international assignments .
Key Highlights:
- Rizwan”s Record: Mohammad Rizwan became the fastest batter to 3000 T20I runs .
- Amir”s Fairytale Return: Mohammad Amir’s comeback performance in the 2nd T20I was a major positive for Pakistan .
- Chapman”s Dominance: Mark Chapman continued his love affair against Pakistan, single-handedly winning a game for New Zealand .
- New Zealand”s Depth: Despite missing several first-choice players due to the IPL, the Black Caps displayed incredible depth and fighting spirit to take the series to the wire .
- Finishing Touches: Both teams showed they have world-class finishers, from Shadab Khan to Mohammad Nawaz, and from Chapman to Bracewell.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series of 2026 will be remembered for its fluctuating fortunes, record-breaking milestones, and high-stakes drama. From the raw pace of Shaheen Afridi to the sublime timing of Mark Chapman, and the tactical genius of Michael Bracewell to the finishing prowess of Mohammad Nawaz, the series had it all.
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