New Zealand’s opening duo unleashed a relentless six-hitting assault to overpower Pakistan by five wickets, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in their T20 series. The hosts chased down 137-5 with 11 balls to spare in Dunedin on Tuesday, tightening their grip on the five-match contest after Pakistan posted 135-9 in a rain-shortened 15-over clash.

The standout moment came from a blistering opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, who launched seven sixes in their first eight scoring shots. Seifert initially played out a maiden over against Shaheen Shah Afridi before Allen dismantled Mohammad Ali’s second over, clearing the compact University Oval boundary three times.

Seifert then took Afridi apart in his second over, smashing four sixes in a breathtaking 26-run blitz before falling for 45 off 22 balls. Allen followed soon after, having pummeled 38 off just 16 deliveries, with both openers striking five sixes each.

White-ball specialist Allen credited their explosive approach to natural power-hitting instincts and a clear game plan.

“We just wanted to be positive, get ahead in the chase early, and make things easier for the middle order,” he said. “It’s tough to gauge a par score in a 15-over game, but with these small boundaries, I think 170 would’ve been more competitive.”

New Zealand briefly wobbled, losing four wickets in as many overs, but Mitch Hay’s unbeaten 21 ensured a smooth finish.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha top-scored with 46 off 28 balls, steering his side out of early trouble after opener Hasan Nawaz fell for a second consecutive duck. At 19-2 in the fourth over, Agha’s counterattack—featuring four fours and three sixes—helped stabilize the innings.

Shadab Khan contributed an aggressive 26 off 14, while Afridi added an unbeaten 22 off the same number of deliveries. New Zealand’s bowling attack was well-balanced, with four bowlers claiming two wickets apiece, including Ben Sears and Jimmy Neesham, who were recalled in place of Tim Robinson and Kyle Jamieson.

Having thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in the series opener, New Zealand now stands on the brink of a series win, needing just one more victory in Friday’s third match in Auckland to seal the deal.