New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham made headlines with a sensational five-wicket haul in opposition to Pakistan within the fifth and ultimate T20I at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Wednesday.
James Neesham turns into second New Zealander to take a fifer in opposition to Pakistan
Neesham’s spell of 5/22 in 4 overs performed a pivotal position in proscribing Pakistan to 128/9 in 20 overs, in the end setting the stage for a cushty New Zealand victory. With this excellent efficiency, Neesham not solely delivered a match-winning spell but in addition etched his title within the file books, turning into solely the fourth New Zealand bowler to register a five-wicket haul in T20 internationals. The Kiwi assault, that includes Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi, additionally contributed to Pakistan’s batting collapse, making certain New Zealand dominated the competition from begin to end.
Neesham grew to become solely the second New Zealand bowler in historical past to take a five-wicket haul in opposition to Pakistan in T20Is, following within the footsteps of Tim Southee, who achieved the feat with 5/18 in Auckland in 2010. With this achievement, Neesham additionally grew to become the third bowler general in New Zealand-Pakistan T20I historical past to say a fifer. The elite listing consists of:
- Tim Southee (NZ): 5/18 vs Pakistan, Auckland, 2010
- Umar Gul (PAK): 5/6 vs New Zealand, The Oval, 2009
- Jimmy Neesham (NZ): 5/22 vs Pakistan, Wellington, 2025
Greatest bowling figures for New Zealand in T20I cricket
Neesham’s historic spell additionally noticed him change into simply the fourth bowler from New Zealand to attain a five-wicket haul in T20Is. What makes Neesham’s fifer much more outstanding is that he’s primarily recognized for his all-round abilities, along with his batting usually taking the highlight. Nevertheless, this match noticed him rise as a real match-winner with the ball, reinforcing his worth as considered one of New Zealand’s most versatile cricketers.
Right here’s a better have a look at the highest bowling figures recorded by New Zealand bowlers in T20 internationals.
1.Tim Southee – 5/18 vs Pakistan, 2010 (Auckland)
Southee was the primary New Zealand bowler to register a five-wicket haul in T20Is, reaching the feat in opposition to Pakistan in 2010 at Eden Park, Auckland. He bowled with distinctive swing and accuracy, operating by means of Pakistan’s high and center order to complete with figures of 5/18 in 4 overs. His spell helped New Zealand safe a cushty win and laid the inspiration for future Kiwi pacers to shine within the shortest format of the sport. Southee’s potential to maneuver the ball each methods and exploit early situations made him one of the dependable T20 bowlers for New Zealand.
2. Lockie Ferguson – 5/21 vs West Indies, 2020 (Mount Maunganui)
Specific pacer Ferguson delivered a wide ranging spell in opposition to West Indies in Mount Maunganui throughout the 2020 sequence. Clocking speeds of 150+ kmph, Ferguson ripped by means of the West Indian batting lineup, claiming 5/21 in 4 overs. His uncooked tempo and skill to generate steep bounce proved an excessive amount of for the Caribbean batters, making it one of the dominant bowling performances by a New Zealander in T20I historical past. His spell ensured West Indies by no means received the momentum they wanted, securing one other T20I win for the Black Caps.
Additionally READ: Prime 5 quickest centuries for Pakistan in T20I cricket ft. Hasan Nawaz
3. James Neesham – 5/22 vs Pakistan, 2025 (Wellington)
The most recent entrant into the listing of New Zealand’s finest T20I bowling figures, Neesham showcased his all-round brilliance with a surprising spell of 5/22 in opposition to Pakistan in Wellington. Identified extra for his batting exploits, Neesham stunned everybody by producing a match-winning spell with the ball. He eliminated key batters in Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Jahandad Khan, Salman Agha and Sufiyan Muqeem, crippling Pakistan’s innings and proscribing them to simply 128/9 in 20 overs. His variations, good change of tempo, and skill to execute underneath stress made this spell one of the outstanding bowling performances by a New Zealander in T20Is.
4. Tim Southee – 5/25 vs UAE, 2023 (Dubai)
13 years after his first T20I fifer, Southee as soon as once more proved his class, this time in opposition to UAE in Dubai in 2023. The veteran pacer recorded figures of 5/25, as soon as once more demonstrating his potential to extract motion and outfox batters within the shortest format. His expertise and composure underneath stress had been evident all through the spell as he led New Zealand to a cushty win. Southee’s longevity and continued excellence in T20 cricket solidified his standing as considered one of New Zealand’s most interesting pacers.
5. Adam Milne – 5/26 vs Sri Lanka, 2023 (Queenstown)
Tempo sensation Adam Milne delivered a fiery spell in opposition to Sri Lanka in Queenstown in 2023, ending with figures of 5/26 in 4 overs. Milne’s uncooked tempo and skill to generate bounce troubled the Sri Lankan batters, resulting in their batting collapse. His spell was instrumental in securing a dominant win for New Zealand, and it stays one of many most interesting bowling performances by a Kiwi bowler in T20I historical past. Milne’s efficiency showcased the depth of New Zealand’s fast-bowling expertise in white-ball cricket.