AUCKLAND – A combating half-century by Babar Azam went in useless as Pakistan misplaced to New Zealand by 46 runs within the first T20I of the five-match sequence at Eden Park, Auckland.
Batting first, New Zealand posted a mammoth whole of 226-Eight on the board whereas in reply, Pakistan have been bowled out for 180 in 18 overs. After opting to bowl first, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck on the second ball of the opening over to take out Devon Conway for a golden duck. His fellow opening batter, Finn Allen (34), was caught by Aamir Jamal to award Abbas Afridi his maiden T20I wicket, bringing the opposition to 50-2 inside 5 overs.
An explosive third-wicket halfnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, yielding 78 runs, introduced momentum to New Zealand’s innings till it was minimize quick by Abbas, who dismissed Williamson. The New Zealand skipper walked again after scoring his 18th half-century (57, 42b, 9x4s) within the format. Mitchell went on to complete his half-century, hitting 27- ball-61 together with 4 boundaries and as many maximums.
For his spectacular batting performance, Mitchell was adjudged player of the match as properly. He eventually fell to Shaheen, who introduced himself again into the assault within the 17th over. Mark Chapman (26) chipped in with some fast runs as properly to take the entire over the 200- run mark. Debutant Abbas bowled properly as he grabbed 3-34 whereas Shaheen bagged three scalps and Haris Rauf took two wickets.
Left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub’s 8-ball-27, together with two fours and three sixes, gave Pakistan a flying begin. His keep on the crease was minimize quick, courtesy of a immediate run-out by Adam Milne. Mohammad Rizwan (25) was the following batter to stroll again after he was caught by Conway off Tim Southee’s bowling as Pakistan have been delivered to 63-2 contained in the powerplay.
Fakhar Zaman fell sufferer to Ish Sodhi after a swift 15 off 10, including a 4 and a six. Iftikhar Ahmed contributed 24 off 17 earlier than he was caught by Sodhi on Southee’s bowling. Milne struck twice in a single over to take away Azam Khan and Shaheen as bother deepened for the guests. Within the subsequent over, Ben Sears grabbed the prized wicket of Babar Azam, who departed after a valiant half-century (57, 35b, 6x4s, 2x6s).
Southee eliminated Abbas within the 18th over to finish 150 wickets within the format – essentially the most by any bowler within the historical past of T20Is. In the identical over, he bought his fourth wicket of the day to dismiss Pakistan for 180. Southee was supported by pacers Sears and Milne – who accounted for 2 wickets every – and leg-spinner Sodhi, who picked up one wicket as properly. The second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will probably be performed on January 14.
SCORES IN BRIEF.
NEW ZEALAND 226-8, 20 overs
(Daryl Mitchell 61, Kane Williamson
57, Finn Allen 34; Abbas
Afridi 3-34, Shaheen Shah
Afridi 3-46, Haris Rauf 2-34)
beat.
PAKISTAN 180 all out, 18
overs (Babar Azam 57, Saim
Ayub 27, M Rizwan 25; Tim
Southee 4-25, Ben Sears 2-42,
Adam Milne 2-50) by 46 runs.