Pakistan’s spinners dominated New Zealand in the fifth and final Twenty20 international, securing a 42-run victory to avoid a series clean sweep. Despite losing the series 4-1, the tourists ended on a positive note by dismissing the Black Caps for only 92 runs in response to their 134-8 total. Part-time offspinner Iftikhar Ahmed shone with career-best figures of 3-24, while Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi also made contributions with the ball. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi highlighted the importance of avoiding a whitewash series loss and stated that the team’s focus was on the T20 World Cup in June. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the need for improvement in chasing targets, despite the team showing positive signs throughout the series.