New Zealand humiliated Pakistan with a dominant 9-wicket win in the first match of the five-match T20I series at Hagley Oval. Chasing a meager target of 92, the hosts comfortably reached the total in just 10.5 overs with 59 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse
Pakistan, featuring three debutants, struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, managing only 91 runs in 18.4 overs.
- Pakistan lost their first four wickets for just 11 runs in 4.4 overs, with Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy causing havoc.
- Khushdil Shah (32 off 32) was the only batter to show some resistance, hitting three sixes.
- Agha Salman (18) and Jahandad Khan (17) tried to rebuild but couldn’t save Pakistan from a collapse.
- Jacob Duffy (4/18) and Kyle Jamieson (3/16) were the standout bowlers, while Ish Sodhi took two wickets.
New Zealand’s Aggressive Chase
- Tim Seifert led the charge with a 44-run knock off 29 balls.
- Finn Allen contributed 29 runs, while Tim Robinson (18)* finished the chase in style.
- Mohammad Abrar took the only wicket for Pakistan.
Debutants in Action
Pakistan introduced three debutants in this match:
- Hasan Nawaz (duck),
- Abdul Samad (7 off 12),
- Mohammad Ali (0 wickets).
Despite their fresh lineup, Pakistan failed to pose a challenge against a well-settled New Zealand squad.
Series Standing & Head-to-Head
- Pakistan leads the overall T20I record against New Zealand (23-19) but trails 0-1 in the current series.
- The second T20I will be crucial for Pakistan to bounce back.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With Babar Azam absent from the squad, the team must reassess its batting approach before the next match. Will Pakistan make changes for the second T20I?
