New Zealand secured a dominant victory over Pakistan in the first T20 match, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The match was played in Christchurch, where New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first—a decision that proved highly effective. Pakistan struggled from the very first over, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually setting a modest target of 92 runs, which New Zealand comfortably chased down in just 10.1 overs with the loss of a single wicket.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse
From the beginning, Pakistan’s batting lineup faced immense difficulties. Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz were dismissed for ducks, while Irfan Khan managed only one run before heading back to the pavilion.
Captain Agha Salman attempted to resist but could only contribute 18 runs before falling. Shadab Khan scored just 3 runs, further deepening Pakistan’s troubles.
In the middle order, Khushdil Shah offered some fight, top-scoring with 32 runs, while Abdul Samad made 7, Jehan Dad Khan added 17, Shaheen Shah Afridi managed just 1, and Abrar Ahmed scored 2 runs. Mohammad Ali remained not out on 1 run.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was ruthless:
Jacob Duffy took 4 wickets
Kyle Jamieson claimed 3 wickets
Ish Sodhi picked up 2 wickets
Ben Sears grabbed 1 wicket
New Zealand’s Aggressive Chase
New Zealand launched their chase aggressively, reaching 53/1 in 5.5 overs. After losing just one wicket, they effortlessly chased the target, winning the match in 10.1 overs.
Pakistan’s bowling lacked impact, with only Abrar Ahmed managing to take a wicket.
Shaheen Afridi gave away 17 runs in 2 overs
Mohammad Ali conceded 25 runs in 3 overs
Shadab Khan leaked 18 runs in 2 overs
Pakistan Squad and Key Highlights
The playing XI for Pakistan included:
Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (captain), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jehan Dad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali.
A significant highlight of the match was the T20 debut of three Pakistani players, marking a fresh beginning for new talent.
Before the match, the Pakistan team trained at Hagley Oval, where batting coach Mohammad Yousuf provided crucial batting tips. Additionally, a traditional welcome ceremony was held for both teams at the venue.