New Zealand cruised to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the contest.
Chasing a modest 91-run target, the Black Caps' openers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, dominated the proceedings from the outset. The duo put on a brisk 53-run stand during the powerplay, setting the tone for an emphatic chase.
Seifert looked set for a half-century but was dismissed for 44 off 29 balls by spinner Abrar Ahmed, the only Pakistani bowler to claim a wicket. His departure at 53-1 in 5.5 overs made little difference, as Allen (29*) and Tim Robinson (18*) steered New Zealand home in just 10.2 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan struggled against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack after being put in to bat. Their innings never gained momentum and ended at 91 all out, with Kyle Jamieson leading the charge.
The Men in Green endured a disastrous start, reduced to 1-3 within the first two overs. Mohammad Haris fell for a duck to Jamieson, while Muhammad Irfan Khan managed just a single before being dismissed. Debutant Hasan Nawaz departed without scoring, falling to Jacob Duffy.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan’s brief stay ended at three runs, leaving Pakistan reeling at 11-4 in the fifth over. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah attempted a rescue act, adding 46 runs for the fifth wicket, but their resistance was short-lived. Agha, struggling for fluency, was removed by Ish Sodhi for 18.
Khushdil provided the only spark in Pakistan’s innings, striking three sixes in a fighting knock of 32, but Duffy struck again in the 13th over to dismiss him, reducing Pakistan to 64-6.
The lower order failed to put up any resistance, with debutant Abdul Samad (7), Jahandad Khan (17), and Shaheen Afridi (1) departing cheaply. Pakistan were bundled out in 18.4 overs, failing to reach the 100-run mark.
Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4-10, while Jamieson claimed 3-19. Sodhi and Zakary Foulkes chipped in with two and one wicket, respectively.
New Zealand will look to extend their lead in the second T20I, scheduled for January 17.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zac Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
