New Zealand complete comfortable five-wicket win over Pakistan

New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in their T20 series with Pakistan with a five-wicket win in Dunedin.

Having put the visitors into bat, the Black Caps reduced their opponents to 52-4 by the end of the seventh over, with spinner Ish Sodhi taking two early wickets.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha top-scored with 46 from 28 balls before he was caught by Mark Chapman off the bowling of Ben Sears, while Shadab Khan struck 26 from 14 deliveries.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the last of only three Pakistan batters to pass 20, hitting an unbeaten 22 from 14 as the tourists closed on 135-9 in a match that was reduced to 15 overs a side.

The home side made a swift start to their reply, with Tim Seifert and Finn Allen putting on 66 inside five overs before the former was caught by Shaheen for 45.

Jahandad Khan dismissed Allen lbw for 38, but at 87-2 in the seventh over New Zealand were firmly in control.

Haris Rauf removed Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham cheaply, but Mitch Hay struck 21 from 16 to finish the match with 11 balls to spare.

New Zealand can complete a series win in the third T20 of the five-match series, which takes place in Auckland on Friday.