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New Zealand 180 for 4 (Phillips 56*, Mitchell 48*, Little 2-33) beat Ireland 174 for 6 (Stirling 40, Adair 37*, Sodhi 2-27) by six wickets
Belfast: An 82-run stand between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips helped New Zealand complete a 3-0 series win over Ireland in the third and final T20I.
Paul Stirling started off Ireland's innings with a bang, but from 79/2 in 10 overs, Ireland's middle-order misfired to leave the hosts at 108/5 after 16 overs.
The innings seemed to be meandering towards an ordinary total despite Stirling's promising innings.
Harry Tector tried to turn the scoring rate up with two boundaries off the first two balls of the 17th over, but a big heave next ball saw him hole out to leave Ireland in further trouble.
However, Curtis Campher joined hands with Mark Adair and things started looking up for Ireland from thereon.
The pair put on a 58-run partnership in 21 balls as Ireland smashed 50 runs in the last three overs.
Four fours and four sixes came off the three overs as Ireland posted a competitive 174 on board.
Finn Allen got New Zealand off to a blazing start in the run chase with three boundaries in the second over off Craig Young, but he fell in the same over to give the hosts an opening.
Martin Guptill, though, carried on in the same vein to help the Blackcaps to 53 at the end of the powerplay.
Ireland, however, managed to pull things back with the wicket of Guptill.
George Dockrell had created chances twice in succession against Glenn Phillips only to see two catches go down. But he found reward at the other end with the big wicket of Guptill the very next ball.
After 10 overs, the game was in the balance with New Zealand on 83/3.
Phillips and Daryl Mitchell took over from there to build a steady stand.
In the first six overs of the partnership, only two boundaries came as New Zealand ambled along to 112/3 in 14 overs.
With 63 needed in six overs, Mitchell and Phillips turned the game on its head with a 20-run over against Campher.
Two sixes and a four came off the over as the required run rate took a steep drop.
While Joshua Little had Mitchell out caught and bowled for 48 in 32 balls in the 17th over, the 82-run stand between Phillips and Mitchell had all but sealed the match for New Zealand.
Phillips stayed on to complete his half-century and take New Zealand home with six balls to spare and give New Zealand a 3-0 series victory.
