Pakistan v New Zealand: Winners and Losers from T20 Series

Honours ended even in the Twenty20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand, with both nations picking up one win apiece at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan took the opening game with ease on Thursday, overhauling New Zealand's total of 135-7 with seven wickets and five balls to spare. 

However the Black Caps—who had also rallied to claim a 1-1 draw in the recent Test series—hit back in impressive fashion, successfully defending, 144-8, as they bowled their rivals out for 128.

We take a look at some of the winners and losers from the short series before the two teams face each other again in one-day cricket, with the first of five matches taking place on December 8 in Dubai.

Winner: Sarfraz Ahmed

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In a series that saw bowlers mostly on top, Sarfraz Ahmed registered the only score of 50 or more as he helped Pakistan to victory in the opening match.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who had made five runs in his only previous Twenty20 innings for his country, made the most of the opportunity to open. He hit an unbeaten 76 in Pakistan's successful run chase that included eight fours and two sixes.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.com, was full of praise for the 27-year-old after he was pushed up the order to fill in for the injured Ahmed Shehzad.

Loser: Ross Taylor

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Ross Taylor failed to fire in either match in Dubai, mustering a combined total of 11 runs.

Mohammad Irfan accounted for Taylor in the first T20, getting the batsman caught by Umar Akmal for four. The wicket came at the end of the third over, leaving New Zealand struggling at 15-3.

Right-handed batsman Taylor laboured to seven in the second game before being trapped leg before wicket by Raza Hasan to the 13th ball he faced. 

Winner: Anton Devcich

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Anton Devcich bounced back from a disappointing first outing to play a key role with both bat and ball in New Zealand's victory in the second T20.

Promoted from three to open the innings in place of Martin Guptill, Devcich made 21 from 20 deliveries as he combined with captain Kane Williamson to put on a stand worth 49.

Not content there, the 29-year-old then claimed 2-16. He had Sarfraz Ahmed lbw with the fourth ball of the Pakistan innings, then clung on to a return catch from Mohammad Hafeez as he bowled his four overs straight through.

Loser: Mohammad Hafeez

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Mohammad Hafeez was in outstanding form with the bat during the Test series against New Zealand, including making 197 in a losing cause in the third match.

However the all-rounder was unable to carry his form into the T20 format, mustering 11 runs in two innings. His cause wasn't helped by being run out in the first game when he had only made two.

Hafeez did pick up a wicket, but his four overs in the series went for 35 runs. His economy rate of 8.75 was comfortably the worst among the bowlers Pakistan used by skipper Shahid Afridi.

Winner: Umar Gul

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Having missed the Test series due to a knee injury, Umar Gul made a welcome comeback for Pakistan in the second T20.

The paceman duly marked his return with figures of 2-24 in his four overs, firstly dismissing Tom Latham for 26 before then bowling Daniel Vettori with the penultimate delivery of his spell.

While his efforts ended up being in a losing cause, the presence of Gul is a real boost for Pakistan ahead of the one-day series.

Loser: Nathan McCullum

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Nathan McCullum is normally a reliable performer for New Zealand, but in his two T20 outings, he failed to pick up a wicket and had little chance to contribute with the bat.

Every other bowler used by Kiwi captain Kane Williamson managed to make a breakthrough save for spinner McCullum, though, his seven overs still only went for a respectable 35 runs.

The all-rounder will hope to make a bigger impact in the five one-day matches that now follow.