Finn Allen showed his form by top-scoring for New Zealand ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in a nine-wicket tri-series defeat against Pakistan in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Allen hit six sixes in his 42-ball 62 as the Black Caps easily chased down 130-7 at Hagley Oval as New Zealand claimed their second win of the series.
The hosts’ win leaves both Pakistan and New Zealand on two wins and one loss each, with the Black Caps next facing Bangladesh on Wednesday, also in Christchurch.
The three nations are using the week-long tournament to build up to the T20 World Cup in Australia later this month. Before Allen and Devon Conway quickly developed into an early partnership. 117 ensured victory.
After Allen was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan, Black Caps captain Kane Williamson replaced him at the crease and eventually claimed the winning single as New Zealand won with 23 balls to spare.
Conway, who guided New Zealand to an unbeaten 70-run victory over Bangladesh last Sunday, was once again impressive at the crease, hitting five fours in an unbeaten 49 off 46 balls.
Pakistan was not allowed to solve with either bat or ball.
New Zealand bowler Michael Bracewell once again claimed the Man of the Match award after taking the crucial wickets of Rizwan (16) and captain Babar Azam (21), conceding 11 runs in his four overs. Got two wickets. .
Iftikhar Ahmed scored 27 runs including three fours.
Tim Southee dismissed Iftikhar and Mohammad Nawaz on the first two balls of the last over, but Mohammad Wasim avoided the hat-trick.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Dion Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Blair Tickner, Ash Sodhi, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Muhammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Durmani.
Umpires: Alex Warf (ENG), Wayne Knights (NZL)
TV Umpire: Sean Hague (NZL)
Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
