James Neesham enters record books with T20I fifer against Pakistan
What's the story
James Neesham etched his name in record books after taking a fifer against Pakistan in the 5th and final T20I at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Wednesday.
The New Zealand all-rounder took figures worth 5/22 from his 4 overs as Pakistan were restricted to 128/9 in 20 overs.
The likes of Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi also entered the wickets column.
Here's more.
Records
2nd New Zealand bowler to take fifer against Pakistan (T20Is)
As per ESPNcricinfo, Neesham is just the 2nd New Zealand bowler to take a fifer against Pakistan in T20Is.
He has joined Tim Southee, who claimed 5/18 in 2010, Auckland.
Neesham is also the 3rd bowler in New Zealand-Pakistan T20Is to take a fifer after Southee and Umar Gul (5/6 vs NZ, The Oval, 2009).
Do you know?
4th New Zealand bowler with a fifer in T20Is
Neesham became the 4th New Zealand bowler with a fifer in T20Is. He joins Southee (twice), Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne (one each) with fifers in T20Is.
Numbers
Maiden T20 fifer for Neesham
Neesham claimed his maiden fifer in T20 cricket. Playing his 294th match (246 innings), he has raced to 238 wickets at 25.29. Apart from his fifer, he owns three four-fers.
Notably, 47 of his 238 T20 wickets have come for New Zealand in T20Is.
He averages 24.44 from 83 matches (57 innings) with his economy rate being 8.94.
Performance
A five-star performance from Neesham
Neesham's first wicket came in the 11th over when he dismissed Abdul Samad, leaving Pakistan reeling at 52/5.
A 54-run stand was added between Salman Agha and Shadab Khan thereafter. Neesham broke the partnership by sending back Shadab.
In the same over, he dismissed Jahandad Khan with Pakistan's score reading 108/7.
He took two wickets in the 19th over, dismissing Salman and Sufiyan Muqeem.