New Zealand defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Sunday, thanks to a stellar performance by their openers.
Chasing a small target of 91, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen made light work of the chase, with a blistering 53-run partnership in the powerplay.
Seifert’s knock of 44 off 29 balls ended when he was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed, leaving New Zealand at 53-1 in the sixth over.
Allen, unbeaten on 29, and Tim Robinson, who scored 18, comfortably saw New Zealand across the line in the 11th over, securing a 1-0 lead in the series.
Pakistan’s batting failed to fire after they were asked to bat first, posting a mere 91 all out. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack was led by Kyle Jamieson, who took three wickets, including the early dismissals of Mohammad Haris and Irfan Khan.
Debutant Hasan Nawaz fell for a duck, and Pakistan was soon in deep trouble at 11-4 after just 4.4 overs.
While Shadab Khan and Agha Salman attempted to stabilise the innings with a 46-run partnership, their efforts were in vain.
Khushdil Shah, the lone bright spot for Pakistan with 32 runs, was dismissed by Jacob Duffy, who claimed four wickets.
Duffy, along with Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, and Zakary Foulkes, dismantled Pakistan’s batting, leaving them all out for just 91.
Playing XI:
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
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