Another dismal performance by the Pakistanis and yet another total domination by the Kiwis in the first T20I has taken the home side 1 up in the series.
The batting woes of Pakistani batting continued in the T20I series as well. The bowlers looked ordinary except Shadab and Rumman, while New Zealand team was clinical in all departments, taking wickets at regular intervals, grabbing some wonderful catches and scoring freely while batting.
Toss & Pitch
In the absence of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee was leading the home side. New Zealand won the toss, putting the guests to bat first on a pitch which looked hard to score runs on.
1st Innings
Having been put in to bat first, Pakistan were tied down by the New Zealand seamers right from the word go. A horrid top order show for the 6th time in the tour made sure the visitors didn’t get any way near an above-par score.
Umar Amin was picked ahead of Ahmad Shahzad for the 1st T20I. The openers failed to provide a solid start, both returning back to the pavilion at the team total of just 4.
Umar failed to trouble the scorers, thanks to a brilliant catch by Kitchen. Fakhar departed in the same way he did in one of the One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Muhammad Nawaz was promoted up the order, his original batting position in the domestic cricket, however, the left-hander couldn’t have any impact on the scoring whatsoever, scoring only 7.
The only two batsmen who got to the double figures were Babar Azam (41) and Hasan Ali (23). Sarfaraz XI was bundled out for a below-par 105 in 19.4 overs, courtesy brilliant figures of 39-6 in 8 overs between the opening bowling pair of Seth Rance and Tim Southee.
Via Cricinfo
2nd Innings
With an easy target to chase, New Zealand had a clear sight to victory but a good bowling start from the opening duo of Muhammad Amir and Rumman Raees helped remove the in-form opener, Martin Guptill, cheaply.
Rumman trapped Glenn Phillips early as well at the score of 8. With scoreline reading 8-2, Pakistan had a chance to take the game close however, Tom Bruce and Colin Munro stabilised the innings with a solid partnership of 49.
Shadab removed Bruce for 26 at 57-3. A brisk stand of 49 between Ross Taylor and Munro gave the hosts as an easy victory, chasing the target in the 16th over. Rumman took 2-24 in his 4 while Shadab walked away with 1-18 in his 4.
Via Cricinfo
Awards
Kiwi opener Colin Munro claimed the Man of the Match award for his careful 49*.
Here’s a bonus statistic.
Pakistan's first ever review in T20 Internationals goes wasted. #NZvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 22, 2018
