Pakistan lost opener to New Zealand

Pakistan slumped to a new low on Sunday, suffering a crushing nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first T20I at Hagley Oval. The loss, with 59 balls remaining, marked Pakistan’s worst defeat in T20I history in terms of balls left.

Put into bat, Pakistan’s new opening pair of Mohammad Haris and debutant Hasan Nawaz failed to provide a solid start, both dismissed for ducks. Muhammad Irfan Khan, promoted to No. 3, also fell cheaply, managing just one run before Kyle Jamieson removed him.

Vice captain Shadab Khan also failed to stabilise innings, after he was caught out by a wonderful catch from Tim Robinson.

At 1/3 in 2.2 overs, Pakistan never recovered, managing only 91 runs in 18.4 overs— their fifth-lowest T20I total. Khushdil Shah top-scored with 32 runs, but the rest of the lineup faltered against a disciplined New Zealand attack.

Jacob Duffy led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Jamieson claimed three, Ish Sodhi picked up two, and Zakary Foulkes took one.

In response, New Zealand comfortably chased the target in 10.1 overs, losing just one wicket. Tim Seifert’s 44 off 29 balls, alongside Finn Allen and Tim Robinson, sealed an easy victory and gave the hosts a 1-0 series lead.