New Zealand dominated Pakistan in the first T20I, securing a nine-wicket win after bowling out the visitors for just 91. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy led the charge, dismantling a new-look Pakistan side that struggled without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan’s total was their lowest in New Zealand and fifth-lowest in T20Is.
Jamieson, returning to the T20I side after nearly two years, set the tone with a wicket maiden. Mohammad Haris edged one behind, while debutant Hasan Nawaz fell to Duffy without scoring. Pakistan slumped to 1 for 3 after Jamieson removed Irfan Khan, their lowest score at the fall of the third wicket. Tim Robinson then took a stunning catch to send back Haseebullah Khan, leaving Pakistan at 11 for 4.
Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah tried to rebuild, surviving early chances. They briefly counter-attacked, hitting Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell for sixes. However, their partnership ended when Agha fell attempting a reverse sweep off Sodhi. Duffy then removed Khushdil, and Pakistan crumbled to 64 for 6. The tail offered little resistance as Duffy finished with 4 for 14, wrapping up Pakistan’s innings in 18.1 overs.
New Zealand’s chase was smooth. After a watchful start, Tim Seifert attacked, pulling debutant Mohammad Ali for boundaries and taking on Shaheen Afridi. Finn Allen joined in, smashing Jahandad Khan for a six. Seifert fell to Abrar Ahmed for 44, but by then, the game was all but won. Allen and Robinson finished the job, guiding New Zealand to victory just after the halfway mark of the innings.
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