All-rounder James Neesham held his nerve in the final over to give New Zealand a dramatic four-run win over Pakistan in the third T20 international in Lahore on Monday despite Iftikhar Ahmed's brilliant innings.

Ahmed brought Pakistan back into the contest from 88-7 with a whirlwind 24-ball 60 as they attempted to chase down New Zealand's 163-5.

Needing 15 to win from Neesham's final over, he hit a six and a four to reduce the target to five off the last three deliveries.

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But Neesham had Ahmed caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell and then after a dot ball dismissed last man Haris Rauf in the same manner.

"It was a great game and it's satisfying to get across the line and keep the series alive," said visiting captain Tom Latham.

"I think the whole squad will take a lot of confidence from this match moving forward.

"The three early Pakistan wickets in the powerplay set us up and we pride ourselves on our fielding and keep the bar high every time we set foot into the middle."

Ahmed led the fightback with Faheem Ashraf as the pair added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Ashraf holing out after a 14-ball 27 studded with two sixes and as many fours.

Ahmed smashed six sixes and three fours.

The victory means New Zealand trail the five-match series 2-1 after Pakistan won the first two games, by 88 and 38 runs, also in Lahore.

The last two matches are in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals with prolific opening pair Babar Azam (one) and Mohammad Rizwan (six) both gone by the fourth over with the score on just 17.

Azam was caught at third man off pacer Adam Milne while Rizwan was found short of his crease after trying to take a sharp single.

Pakistan were further jolted by left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra who dismissed Fakhar Zaman (17) and Imad Wasim for three while Saim Ayub fell to Neesham for 10.

Ish Sodhi dismissed Shaheen Shah Afridi for six and Milne accounted for Shadab Khan for 16, leaving Pakistan reeling.

The hosts battled back thanks to Ahmed, but were bowled out from the final ball on 159.

"We didn't bat well enough tonight," said Pakistan skipper Azam. "We kept losing wickets at crucial stages, because of which the pressure kept building throughout the run chase, but our bowling has been superb this series."

Earlier, New Zealand's innings was anchored by Latham's 64 after winning the toss.

Latham, who hit seven fours and two sixes, added 65 for the third wicket with Mitchell who scored a 26-ball 33.

Mark Chapman made 16 not out off nine balls as New Zealand managed to score 51 in the last five overs.

Shaheen -- playing his 50th T20I -- took 2-33 while his fellow pacer Rauf finished with 2-31.

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All-rounder James Neesham held his nerve in the final over to give New Zealand a dramatic four-run win over Pakistan in the third T20 international in Lahore on Monday despite Iftikhar Ahmed's brilliant innings.

All-rounder James Neesham held his nerve in the final over to give New Zealand a dramatic four-run win over Pakistan in the third T20 international in Lahore on Monday despite Iftikhar Ahmed's brilliant innings. Ahmed brought Pakistan back into the contest from 88-7 with a whirlwind 24-ball 60 as they attempted to chase down New Zealand's 163-5. Needing 15 to win from Neesham's final over, he hit a six and a four to reduce the target to five off the last three deliveries. Also Read: English Test captain Ben Stokes named Wisden's 2022 Cricketer of the Year But Neesham had Ahmed caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell and then after a dot ball dismissed last man Haris Rauf in the same manner. "It was a great game and it's satisfying to get across the line and keep the series alive," said visiting captain Tom Latham. "I think the whole squad will take a lot of confidence from this match moving forward. "The three early Pakistan wickets in the powerplay set us up and we pride ourselves on our fielding and keep the bar high every time we set foot into the middle." Ahmed led the fightback with Faheem Ashraf as the pair added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Ashraf holing out after a 14-ball 27 studded with two sixes and as many fours. Ahmed smashed six sixes and three fours. The victory means New Zealand trail the five-match series 2-1 after Pakistan won the first two games, by 88 and 38 runs, also in Lahore. The last two matches are in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals with prolific opening pair Babar Azam (one) and Mohammad Rizwan (six) both gone by the fourth over with the score on just 17. Azam was caught at third man off pacer Adam Milne while Rizwan was found short of his crease after trying to take a sharp single. Pakistan were further jolted by left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra who dismissed Fakhar Zaman (17) and Imad Wasim for three while Saim Ayub fell to Neesham for 10. Ish Sodhi dismissed Shaheen Shah Afridi for six and Milne accounted for Shadab Khan for 16, leaving Pakistan reeling. The hosts battled back thanks to Ahmed, but were bowled out from the final ball on 159. "We didn't bat well enough tonight," said Pakistan skipper Azam. "We kept losing wickets at crucial stages, because of which the pressure kept building throughout the run chase, but our bowling has been superb this series." Earlier, New Zealand's innings was anchored by Latham's 64 after winning the toss. Latham, who hit seven fours and two sixes, added 65 for the third wicket with Mitchell who scored a 26-ball 33. Mark Chapman made 16 not out off nine balls as New Zealand managed to score 51 in the last five overs. Shaheen -- playing his 50th T20I -- took 2-33 while his fellow pacer Rauf finished with 2-31. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NZ vs PAK: Kiwis win 3rd T20I after Iftikhar scare, host lead series 2-1

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was amongst the highest wicket-takers in the historic 2-1 Test series victory against Australia, has been rested for the upcoming ODI series Down Under.

He has also been rested for India's next tour in New Zealand which starts from January 23.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mohammed Siraj has been announced as Bumrah's replacement in the squad for both Australia and New Zealand tour. Even Siddarth Kaul has also been drafted into the squad for the 3-match T20I series against the latter.&nbsp;

Siraj, who has played three T20Is, picked up seven wickets for Hyderabad in their last Ranji Trophy clash against Punjab. The right-arm paceman has been constantly performing for India A and recently had a decent tour of New Zealand with them.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Kaul too has been in superb form for his state Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. The 24-year-old also travelled with India A to New Zealand where he took seven wickets in three 50-over encounters. Kaul has so far played three ODIs and two T20Is.

As per reports, the decision was taken after considering the workload of the bowler. It was deemed fit to give him adequate rest keeping in mind 2019 ODI World Cup in England.

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Update: Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the upcoming ODI series against Australia and India's Tour of New Zealand. Mohammed Siraj to replace him. <a href="https://twitter.com/sidkaul22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidkaul22</a> added to India's T20I squad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> 
 
Details: <a href="https://t.co/tc4yndy40I">https://t.co/tc4yndy40I</a> <a href="https://t.co/92E0hpuF5a">pic.twitter.com/92E0hpuF5a</a>
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Bumrah scalped 21 wickets in India's 2-1 victory over Australia in the four-match series and bowled a total of 157.1 overs - more than any other Indian bowlers.&nbsp;

Only Nathan Lyon (242.1) bowled more overs than him in the series.

Australia will next host Virat Kohli-led side in the first ODI on Saturday (January 12).

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was amongst the highest wicket-takers in the historic 2-1 Test series victory against Australia, has been rested for the upcoming ODI series Down Under.

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was amongst the highest wicket-takers in the historic 2-1 Test series victory against Australia, has been rested for the upcoming ODI series Down Under. He has also been rested for India's next tour in New Zealand which starts from January 23. Mohammed Siraj has been announced as Bumrah's replacement in the squad for both Australia and New Zealand tour. Even Siddarth Kaul has also been drafted into the squad for the 3-match T20I series against the latter. Siraj, who has played three T20Is, picked up seven wickets for Hyderabad in their last Ranji Trophy clash against Punjab. The right-arm paceman has been constantly performing for India A and recently had a decent tour of New Zealand with them. Meanwhile, Kaul too has been in superb form for his state Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. The 24-year-old also travelled with India A to New Zealand where he took seven wickets in three 50-over encounters. Kaul has so far played three ODIs and two T20Is. As per reports, the decision was taken after considering the workload of the bowler. It was deemed fit to give him adequate rest keeping in mind 2019 ODI World Cup in England. Update: Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the upcoming ODI series against Australia and India's Tour of New Zealand. Mohammed Siraj to replace him. @sidkaul22 added to India's T20I squad. #TeamIndia Details: https://t.co/tc4yndy40I pic.twitter.com/92E0hpuF5a — BCCI (@BCCI) January 8, 2019 × Bumrah scalped 21 wickets in India's 2-1 victory over Australia in the four-match series and bowled a total of 157.1 overs - more than any other Indian bowlers. Only Nathan Lyon (242.1) bowled more overs than him in the series. Australia will next host Virat Kohli-led side in the first ODI on Saturday (January 12).

IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah rested for Australia ODIs and New Zealand tour, Mohammed Siraj named replacement

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NZ vs PAK: Kiwis win 3rd T20I after Iftikhar scare, host lead series 2-1

IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah rested for Australia ODIs and New Zealand tour, Mohammed Siraj named replacement