New Zealand have set a target of 164 runs after winning the toss and deciding to bat first against Pakistan during the third T20I of the series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday.
The home side leads the series 2-0 after winning the first two matches in comprehensive fashion.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed to accumulate 163/5 in their quota of 20 overs, thanks to a magnificent half-century by their skipper Latham.
Earlier, the touring side failed to script a solid start to their innings as Shaheen Shah Afridi, dented New Zealand’s flying start as he castled Chad Bowes (7) in the third over.
Following an early setback, New Zealand skipper Latham and Will Young started the recovery by putting on an anchoring 36-run partnership for the second wicket before Shadab Khan broke the budding partnership by dismissing the latter.
Young could score 17 off 15 deliveries, laced up with two boundaries and a six.
Daryl Mitchell then joined his skipper Latham in the middle and turned things around for their side as they bolstered the scoring rate by stitching a vital 65-run partnership in just 43 deliveries before Shaheen drew curtains on Mitchell’s brisk knock.
He scored 33 off 26 deliveries, hitting two boundaries and a six.
New Zealand then endured a major setback in the 17th over when Haris Rauf outclassed the Blackcaps skipper with a ferocious bouncer, which marked the end of his brilliant 64-run knock.
He faced 49 deliveries and smashed seven boundaries and two sixes amid his brilliant knock, which saw him top-scoring for the touring side.
After Latham’s departure, crucial cameos from James Neesham 10 and Mark Chapman 16* took New Zealand to a decent total in the allotted overs.
Haris and Shaheen led the bowling charge for Pakistan with two wickets each while Shadab Khan made one scalp.
