Pakistan wins the Bangla Wash Tri-Series as they beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in the final

Pakistan have clinched the Bangla-Wash tri-series tournament as they beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in the final at Christchurch. Pakistan have taken a huge boost heading into the upcoming World Cup by winning this tri-nation T20 series.

The men in green elected to bowl after winning the toss and leaked quick runs inside the powerplay but found two wickets as well. After losing both openers skipper Williamson took the charge and kept the scoreboard going with his natural game.

He went on to score the 15th half-century of his T20I career and added crucial runs first with Glenn Phillips and then with Mark Chapman. Williamson was dismissed for 59 runs by Shadab Khan in the 16th over followed by Chapman's wicket in the 19th over.

James Neesham contributed with 17 runs as the hosts posted a total of 163/7 in their 20 overs. Haris Rauf continued his brilliant form as he took 2 wickets for just 22 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

He was well supported by young Naseem Shah who took 2 wickets as well with Shadab and Nawaz getting a single wicket each.

Chasing the target, Pakistan as usual were off to a slow and steady start and lost skipper Babar Azam cheaply inside the powerplay. Mohammad Rizwan also failed to increase the run rate and played an ordinary inning of 34 runs in 29 balls.

Shan Masood's dismissal who made 19 runs created pressure on Pakistan as the asking rate kept rising high. Mohamad Nawaz and Haider Ali then turned the tides towards Pakistan as they started playing their shots and earned crucial boundaries at the right moments.

Haider was dismissed for well-made 31 runs in just 15 balls but Nawaz along with Iftikhar Ahmed took their team to the famous victory at Christchurch. Nawaz remained unbeaten on 38 runs with Iftikhar getting 25 runs to clinch a 5-wicket win in the final.

Michael Bracewell once again was clinical with the ball and took 2 wickets with Southee, Sodhi, and Tickner getting a single wicket each. Nawaz for his all-round performance and match-winning innings was adjudged as player of the match.

Michael Bracewell for his consistent brilliant bowling performance was adjudged as player of the series. Pakistan have achieved a remarkable feat by winning the tri-series ahead of T20 World Cup in Australia.

They'll kick off their world cup campaign on October 23 against the arch-rivals India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.