New Zealand beat Pakistan by 7 wickets

New Zealand got a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the fourth Twenty20 international in Christchurch on Friday, placing them on the verge of a series clean sweep.

New Zealand chased down the target of 159 runs in just 18.1 overs with seven wickets in hand to inflict another loss on Pakistan.

Shaheen Afridi and Co had Kiwis under the mat at 20 for 3 inside the powerplay but then Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips got together to stitch a big partnership and took the hosts home.

Earlier, New Zealand restricted Pakistan to just 158 for 5 in 20 overs after they won the toss and opted to bowl first.

The Black Caps pair scored unbeaten half-centuries in a 139-run stand as the home side reached 159-3 in the 19th over in response to Pakistan’s 158-5.

They were forced to mount a rearguard action after Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi knocked over New Zealand’s top order, reducing them to 3-20 in the third over.

Mitchell scored 72 off 44 balls and Phillips 70 off 52, accelerating over the closing stages to complete victory with 11 balls to spare, having begun their partnership in a cautious fashion.

Big-hitting allrounder Mitchell said the first priority was seeing off the immediate threat of Afridi, before the pair set themselves targets.

New Zealand can wrap up the series 5-0 in Sunday’s final