NZ crush ‘new-look’ Pak in first T20I

CHRISTCHURCH:

Pakistan slumped to a nine-wicket defeat in the first Twenty20 against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday after failing to defend a meagre score of 91.

Pakistan’s innings began in disastrous fashion as they lost three quick wickets, with just one run on the scoreboard.

Mohammad Haris was dismissed for a duck by Jamieson, followed by Irfan Khan’s dismissal for a single run, and debutant Hasan Nawaz, who was also dismissed for a duck by Jacob Duffy.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan failed to steady the ship, falling for just three runs, and Pakistan were left at a precarious 11-4 after just 4.4 overs.

A brief recovery came through captain Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah, who put on a 46-run partnership.

However, Agha was dismissed for 18 by Sodhi, and Khushdil, the lone bright spot with 32 runs, was removed by Duffy in the 13th over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 64-6.

The wickets continued to tumble as Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan and Shaheen Afridi all departed cheaply. Abrar Ahmed was the final wicket to fall, and Pakistan were all out for 91.

Jacob Duffy was the star for New Zealand with four wickets, while Kyle Jamieson took three and Ish Sodhi claimed two wickets.

“We had some pretty favourable conditions,” player of the match Jamieson said of the Hagley Oval pitch which offered early movement.

“Myself and Duff, I’m sure we would take that pitch with us most places around the country if we could.

“You keep the seam upright and hit the deck and just let the conditions do the work.”

Pakistan never recovered from their top-order collapse, with only three players reaching double figures.

New captain Salman Agha scored 18 and put on 46 for the fifth wicket with top-scorer Khushdil Shah, who struck three sixes in his 32 off 30 balls.

Jahandad Khan scored 17 at a run-a-ball before the innings ended with eight balls still to be bowled.

Pakistan’s previous lowest T20 score in New Zealand was 101 in a 95-run loss in Wellington in 2016.

Opener Tim Seifert got New Zealand off to a flying start with 44 off 29 balls, striking seven fours and one six.

Finn Allen on 29 and Tim Robinson on 18 completed the chase off the first ball of the 11th over.

Agha said Pakistan would need to adapt to what could be green conditions again for the second match in Dunedin on Tuesday.

“It was obviously difficult, they were bowling in the right area and there was swing and seam for them as well,” he said.

“But we didn’t bat up to the mark.

“Always in New Zealand, the new ball does a bit and we have the bowlers who can do that too.

“We don’t have much time. We need to regather as quickly as we can.”

Pakistan Playing Xi: Salman Ali AGHA (C), haasan nawaz, muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, abdul Samad, khushdil shah, jahandad khan, shahheen shahh Afridi, mohammad Ali, abarar ahmed

New Zealand playing XI: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zac Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.