Pakistan suffered a humiliating 9-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first T20 International of the five-match series held in Christchurch on Sunday. The Green Shirts delivered a disastrous batting performance, getting bundled out for just 91 runs, marking one of their worst collapses in T20 history.
New Zealand made light work of the chase, reaching the target of 92 runs in just 10.1 overs with 59 balls to spare, setting a new unwanted record for Pakistan. The loss not only gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the series but also left Pakistan with a record-breaking low point in their T20 International history.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapses in Embarrassing Fashion
Winning the toss, New Zealand’s captain chose to bowl first, a decision that paid off spectacularly as the Pakistani batting lineup crumbled under pressure.
The Pakistani batters struggled from the very start, losing wickets at regular intervals. The top order collapsed within the powerplay, and the middle order failed to provide any resistance. The team could not even last the full 20 overs, getting all out for 91 runs.
Key Stats from Pakistan’s Batting:
- The entire team managed to score just 91 runs.
- No batter could play a significant knock to build a competitive total.
- New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack left Pakistan clueless.
This low total was never going to challenge a strong New Zealand batting lineup, and the Kiwis sealed victory in ruthless fashion.
New Zealand’s Dominant Chase
Chasing 92 runs, New Zealand’s batters were in complete control. They came out all guns blazing, ensuring the game was wrapped up in no time.
New Zealand’s Key Batting Highlights:
- They chased the target in just 10.1 overs.
- Only one wicket was lost in the process.
- The chase was completed with 59 balls to spare, breaking Pakistan’s worst defeat record in T20 history.
With this clinical performance, New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, putting Pakistan under serious pressure moving forward.
Pakistan’s Worst Defeat in T20 History
This humiliating loss etched Pakistan’s name in the record books for the wrong reasons.
Previous worst defeat (in terms of balls remaining):
- 2018 vs Australia – Australia chased Pakistan’s target with 55 balls remaining.
However, New Zealand’s victory with 59 balls to spare now stands as Pakistan’s biggest defeat in T20 Internationals based on balls remaining.
Worst T20 Losses for Pakistan:
- 2024 vs New Zealand – Target chased with 59 balls remaining.
- 2018 vs Australia – Target chased with 55 balls remaining.
- 2016 vs New Zealand – Pakistan all out for 101 while chasing 196, losing by 95 runs.
This loss exposed major flaws in Pakistan’s batting lineup and raised serious concerns ahead of the remaining matches in the series.
What Went Wrong for Pakistan?
1. Fragile Batting Lineup
Pakistan’s batters failed to adapt to the conditions, throwing away wickets with reckless shots. The inability to build partnerships led to a quick collapse.
2. Poor Shot Selection & Lack of Temperament
Most dismissals were due to poor shot selection, showing a lack of patience on a tricky pitch.
3. No Fight from the Middle Order
Once the top order collapsed, the middle order had no answers to the disciplined Kiwi attack.
4. Bowlers Had Nothing to Defend
With just 91 runs to defend, even the best bowling attack in the world would have struggled. New Zealand’s batters had no pressure and easily dominated the chase.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
Pakistan will now look to bounce back in the second T20 and avoid another embarrassing defeat. The batting unit needs a serious rethink, and the team management must address the issues quickly before it’s too late.
If Pakistan wants to stay competitive in the series, they must improve their batting performance and put up a respectable fight in the upcoming matches.
This historic defeat has raised big questions about Pakistan’s T20 strategy. As New Zealand celebrates a dominant win, Pakistan must go back to the drawing board and find solutions before it’s too late.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan’s batting woes are a major concern. Can they turn things around in the next match, or will New Zealand continue their dominance? Only time will tell.
