The first T20 match between Pakistan and New Zealand ended in a dismal defeat for the former, with the latter securing a convincing 9-wicket victory. After being put into bat, Pakistan’s innings crumbled to a mere 91 runs, a total that New Zealand effortlessly chased down in just 10.1 overs, losing only a single wicket in the process. Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, reflected on the disappointing outing, stating that it was a tough pill to swallow, but they didn’t play good cricket. However, he expressed optimism about their chances in the upcoming match in Dunedin, saying they would perform better.
Salman Ali Agha commended New Zealand’s bowlers for their exceptional performance, noting that the seamers managed to extract some movement from the pitch. He also revealed that the team had a discussion after the match and was now fully focused on the next T20 fixture. Agha pointed out that three of their players were making their debut, but as they gain experience, they will continue to improve. New Zealand, he acknowledged, made playing with the new ball look deceptively easy, but he expressed confidence in his team’s bowling lineup, asserting that they would put up a better show in the forthcoming matches. The second T20 match of the series is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
Looking back at the match, Pakistan’s batting collapse was a significant factor in their defeat. After opting to bat first, their innings folded for a paltry 91 runs. Khushdil Shah top-scored with 32 runs off 30 balls, while captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 18 runs. Notably, eight of Pakistan’s batsmen failed to reach double figures. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets, while Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi chipped in with three and two wickets, respectively. In response, New Zealand achieved the target in just 10.1 overs, with Tim Seifert leading the charge with 44 runs.
