23 Jan 2016

Black Caps clinch T20 series

12:24 pm on 23 January 2016

The Black Caps have won the third and deciding Twenty20 match against the Pakistan cricketers by 95 runs at Wellington stadium.

Grant Elliott celebrates with Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson, January, 2016.

Grant Elliott celebrates with Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson, January, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

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After losing the toss, the New Zealanders were sent in to bat first by Pakistan's captain Shahid Afridi and made 196 for five off their 20 overs.

In return, the visitors could only manage 101 runs before being dismissed after 16 overs and a ball.

All-rounder Corey Anderson top-scored for the Black Caps with a man of the match knock of 82 off 42 deliveries.

Martin Guptill was New Zealand's next best batsman, managing to bring up 42 runs off 19.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the hosts though, with Ross Taylor retiring hurt after suffering a left side strain.

Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed top-scored for the visitors with 41 runs, but was unable to find any support from his fellow teammates.

Shoaib Malik was the only other Pakistan batsman to make it to double figures with 14 runs.

In the end the visitors were bowled out within 17 overs to give New Zealand a two-one win in the series.

All-rounder Grant Elliott and paceman Adam Milne picked up three wickets each for New Zealand.

Anderson backed up his impressive 82 runs with the bat by snaring two wickets in his bowling spell before leaving the field with cramp.

It's a quick turnaround for both teams, who now turn their attention to the one day series, which starts in Wellington on Monday.