NZ crush 'new-look' Pakistan in first T20 by 9-wickets, 59 balls
Cricket
Only three Pakistan batters entered into the double figure scores
CHRISTCHURCH (Dunya News) - New Zealand humiliated ‘new look’ Pakistan with a crushing 9-wicket defeat in the first match of the five-match T20I series.
New Zealand chased the target of 92 with 59 deliveries and nine wickets remaining.
Pakistan's batting lineup faltered as they were dismissed for a mere 91 runs in 18.4 overs in the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Sunday.
After being asked to bat first, the Men in Green struggled against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, with Kyle Jamieson leading the charge by picking up crucial wickets.
Pakistan's innings got off to a disastrous start, with just one run on the board before they lost three quick wickets.
Jamieson dismissed Mohammad Haris for a duck, while Irfan Khan managed only a single run. Debutant Hasan Nawaz also fell cheaply, getting out for a second-ball duck to Jacob Duffy, putting Pakistan under early pressure.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan failed to stabilize the innings, scoring just three runs off six deliveries before becoming Jamieson’s third victim. At 11-4 in 4.4 overs, Pakistan was reeling.
Skipper Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah put up some resistance with a 46-run stand for the fifth wicket, attempting to steady the innings.
However, their efforts weren’t enough, as Ish Sodhi dismissed Agha after he managed 18 runs off 20 balls, leaving Pakistan at 57-5 in 11.1 overs.
Khushdil, who looked aggressive, was the only batter to provide some fireworks, scoring 32 runs, including three sixes. However, his innings was cut short in the 13th over when Duffy struck again, reducing Pakistan to 64-6.
Pakistan kept losing wickets cheaply as another debutant, Abdul Samad, became Sodhi's second victim, dismissed for seven off 12 deliveries, leaving the team reeling at 80-7 in 15.3 overs.
Zakary Foulkes dealt Pakistan their eighth blow by dismissing Jahandad Khan, who managed 17 runs, increasing the pressure with the team struggling at 85-8.
Shaheen Afridi struggled to add runs before being dismissed by Duffy for just one, leaving the team at 89-9 in 18.1 overs.
Abrar Ahmed was the last to fall as Pakistan wrapped up their first innings, falling just nine runs short of 100.
Jacob Duffy stole the spotlight with four wickets, followed by Kyle Jamieson with three, Ish Sodhi with two and Zakary Foulkes with one.
In response to Pakistan's meager total of 91, New Zealand’s batting lineup displayed aggressive intent, comfortably chasing the target with ease.
Opener Tim Seifert played an aggressive knock of 44 runs off 29 balls before he was dismissed at the team’s total of 53 runs, caught behind off Mohammad Abrar’s delivery.
Alongside Seifert, Finn Allen contributed 29 runs, while Tim Robinson remained unbeaten on 18 runs to complete the chase with 9 wickets in hand.
Earlier, New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Sunday.
PAKISTAN SQUAD: Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed
DEBUTANTS IN THE LINEUP
Pakistan on Sunday announced their playing XI for the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, featuring three debutants in the lineup.
Opening batter Hasan Nawaz made his international debut to fill the void left by star batter Babar Azam, who was absent from the T20I squad.
Middle-order batter Abdul Samad and pacer Mohammad Ali also made their debuts, with Ali earning his spot due to his impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 and domestic competitions.
The Pakistan team management presented debut caps to all three players: batting coach Mohammad Yousuf handed the cap to Abdul Samad, head coach Aaqib Javed gave it to Mohammad Ali, while Shadab Khan presented it to Hasan Nawaz.
In addition to the debutants, Mohammad Haris and Shadab Khan made their comebacks in the squad, while young pacer Jahandad Khan was also included.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zac Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
HEAD-TO-HEAD
New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other in 44 T20I matches. Out of these, New Zealand have won 19, while Pakistan have emerged victorious on 23 occasions. Two matches ended without a result.
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