New Zealand triumphed by 10 wickets in Hamilton this morning to level up their three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan.
The tourists claimed victory in the first encounter in Auckland on Friday, but a world-record opening partnership from Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill eased the hosts through on this occasion.
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Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat at Seddon Park and it was Umar Akmal that spearheaded their charge, scoring an unbeaten 56 runs off 27 deliveries to help his side reach 168-7 from their 20 overs.
However, the Kiwis went on to win the contest with 14 balls to spare thanks to the performance of their two openers.
The Pakistan bowling attack were unable to remove either Williamson (72 off 48) or Guptill (87 off 58) as the duo - helped by 12 extras - reached 171, surpassing the previous record for the first wicket in T20 cricket by one run.
The series will now be decided in a winner-takes-all clash in Wellington on Friday.
Liam Apicella
