New Zealand have repelled a spirited challenge to chase down 201 and beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in their second and final Twenty20 cricket international.
Needing 14 off the last over, the Black Caps got to 5-202 with two balls to spare thanks to some clever hitting by Kane Williamson, whose unbeaten 20 came off just five deliveries.
The result means Zimbabwe will depart having lost every match against their hosts, after defeat in the one-off Test, three one-dayers and first T20.
However, they put in their most combative performance of the tour on Tuesday night, reaching 2-200 after they won the toss and decided to bat.
The Black Caps made a good start in chasing a big target.
They had decided to rest the in-form Martin Guptill, instead giving James Franklin his chance to open the innings with Rob Nicol and the pair put on a century partnership.
Nicol, on 56, was the first to go with the total at 103.
Franklin, who started slowly, powered his way to 60 before he was run out by Keegan Meth’s superb direct hit from the boundary.
From 2-142, New Zealand fell to 3-160 when they lost Zimbabwe-born allrounder Colin de Grandhomme for eight.
Seamer Shingirai Masakadza should have got another wicket with his very next ball, but brother Hamilton Masakadza put down a catch from new batsman Nathan McCullum.
However, Zimbabwe put the contest back firmly in the balance after Elton Chigumbura claimed two wickets in two balls in the penultimate over, before Williamson’s cool head guided the Black Caps home.
Zimbabwe’s innings was set up by a 76-run opening partnership between Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri, before skipper Brendan Taylor chipped in with an unbeaten 75 off 43 balls.
Matsikenyeri eventually holed out for 32, while Masakadza was also caught in the deep for 62 as he tried to add to his four sixes and three fours.
At 2-121, Taylor was joined by Chigumbura and the pair maintained the pace.
While Zimbabwe now head home, New Zealand turn their attention to the bigger challenge of South Africa.
The Proteas’ tour opens with a T20 match against Canterbury on Wednesday, before they meet the Black Caps in Wellington on Friday night in the first of three T20 internationals.
