Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi heaped praise on batter Babar Azam following their 45-run loss against New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin. New Zealand beat Pakistan to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

NZ vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Highlights

Babar scored a third successive half-century in the ongoing T20I series but could not guide his side to victory in Dunedin. The former Pakistan skipper smashed 58 runs off 37 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and a solitary six against New Zealand.

Speaking after the match, Afridi said Babar could have finished the match for Pakistan if he has support on the other end. Babar has been the highest run-scorer for Pakistan in the ongoing T20I series, amassing 181 runs at an average of 61.33.

“Babar proved how good he is once again and played 3 best innings in 3 matches. Yes he wasn’t able to finish the game but to do that, you need some help to take the game deep. If a good batsman stayed with him at the other end then he could have finished the match,” said Afridi.

Finn Allen’s record-breaking century aided New Zealand to win the five-match T20I series by achieving a 45-run victory over Pakistan in Dunedin. He surpassed Brendon McCullum’s prior individual record in T20I cricket for New Zealand, contributing towards the first innings total of 224.

Despite rumblings from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar, New Zealand maintained control of the match, limiting Pakistan to 179 for 7. The high run-rate demand eventually led to Babar’s dismissal, and although Nawaz and Afridi attempted to rally, Pakistan fell 45 runs short of the required target.

The star of the match remained Allen, whose knock of 137 runs from 62 balls was instrumental in New Zealand’s victory.

The two sides will now lock horns at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday, January 19 in the fourth match of the series.