New Zealand secures an early advantage in the five-match T20 series against Pakistan, as Pakistan’s batting falters, resulting in a total of less than 100 runs at Hagley Oval.

Pakistan suffered a significant nine-wicket loss in the opening T20 international against New Zealand in Christchurch, struggling to defend a paltry score of 91. The tourists started the series on a disastrous note, reduced to 11-4 by the end of the fifth over, thanks to the impressive pace bowling of Kyle Jamieson who excelled with the new ball. Overall, they were dismissed for their lowest T20 score on New Zealand soil, and New Zealand easily achieved the target with a score of 92-1 within 10.1 overs.

Jamieson, who later received the man of the match award, claimed three of the first four wickets, ending with an impressive 3-8 in four overs. His new ball partner, Jacob Duffy, contributed significantly by sweeping up the tail later in the innings, securing career-best T20 figures of 4-14 in 3.4 overs. Pakistan was unable to recover from their early batting collapse, which was exacerbated by being sent in on a Hagley Oval pitch that offered early swing and seam movement. Only three players managed to score in double figures, including Salman Agha with 18 and Khushdil Shah, the top-scorer for the tourists, who managed 32 runs off of 30 balls, striking three sixes.

Pakistan’s previous lowest T20 score on New Zealand soil was 101 all out in a 95-run loss in Wellington back in 2016. New Zealand’s openers started aggressively with Tim Seifert scoring 44 off 29 balls, including seven fours and one six. Finn Allen, who scored 29, and Tim Robinson, who scored 18, helped complete the chase off the first ball of the 11th over, ensuring a smooth victory for the home team.

The second match in the series is set to take place in Dunedin on Tuesday.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/3/16/pakistan-lose-first-t20-against-new-zealand-despite-khushdil-shah-heroics?traffic_source=rss