We needed the win as a unit to move towards the T20 World Cup, says Shaheen

• Shaheen is happy with his first stint as captain which ended with victory.
• I think today we played as a team, says Pakistan captain.
• We just check every position for every player, he says.

CHRISTCHURCH: Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi is relieved as Pakistan win the “very important” final Twenty20I of the five-match series against New Zealand to avoid a whitewash series defeat.

The Black Caps capitulated for 92 in the face of some quality Pakistani spin bowling after being favored to chase down the tourists’ 134-8. The home team lost the game by 42 runs.

Pakistan lost the five-match series 4-1, but Shaheen was happy his first stint as captain had a winning note after getting through the first four games.

He said the series was seen primarily as an opportunity to build towards the T20 World Cup in June, but it would be a setback to lose five out of five.

“Today’s game was very important for us. We needed it as a unit to move forward,” Shaheen said.

“In the first four games, there were a lot of breakdowns, as a fielding unit, as a batting unit, but I think today we played as a team and we needed this win.

“It’s not easy for any team to come here. And I think our mind is on the World Cup. We’re just looking at every position for every player and giving opportunities to youngsters.”

Part-time Off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed received the ball for the first time in the series and took career-best figures of 3-24 against a weakened New Zealand batting line-up, which posted its second-lowest T20 total on home soil.

Only opener Finn Allen (22) and Glenn Phillips (26) passed 20 as Pakistan claimed the last eight wickets for 39 runs.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2-18) was effective with the new ball, while Shaheen claimed 2-20.

New Zealand were without three of their first-choice batsmen: Kane Williamson (knee injury), Devon Conway (Covid-19) and Darryl Mitchell (rested).

Captain Mitchell Sandner said their poor chase revealed some stings.

“We look really good going first and defending but, looking at today, we might need some work chasing,” he said.

“In a chase like this, we talk about going as deep as we can and we didn’t.

“But overall a pretty good series. There were good signs, different guys stepping up at different times and that’s what you want.”

Earlier, it looked like the hosts had done enough to push for a clean sweep in another disciplined bowling display.

Seamers Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson all claimed two scalps, along with spinner Ish Sodhi.

Veteran Southee (2-19) dismissed debutant Haseebullah Khan in a first maiden over and returned in the 13th over to remove the dangerous Fakhar Zaman, who had struggled with 33 off 16 balls.

Top scorer Mohammad Rizwan departed soon after for 38 off 38.

New Zealand next face a two-Test home series against South Africa, while Pakistan’s next internationals are five T20s at home to New Zealand in April.