New Zealand vs Pakistan Highlights, 1st T20I: New Zealand Beat Pakistan By 46 Runs; Tim Southee Takes 4 Wickets

After Babar departed it was a mere formality. It did not take long for the last three wickets to fall down. NZ secure victory by 46 runs as Haris Rauf departs on a short and wide slower delivery from Southee. Southee concludes with four wickets. NZ 1-0 Up!

PAK: 180/10 (18)

NZ: 226/8 (20)

Big Wicket! Babar Azam departs after a well-played 57 off 35 balls, caught by Williamson at extra cover off Ben Sears. 

PAK: 176/7 (16.4)

Out! Shaheen Afridi departs on a short delivery, caught by Conway off Milne for a duck. Next in, Azam Khan falls to Milne's slower delivery, caught by Williamson for 10. Azam's attempt to smash results in a top edge, claimed by Williamson at wide long-off. 

PAK: 159/6 (15.3)

NZ: 226/8 (20)

Out! Iftikhar Ahmed falls to Southee's slower delivery, attempting a pull that lacks precision. Ish Sodhi makes an easy catch at short fine leg.

PAK: 135/4 (14)

Babar is looking good out there. Scores a glorious cover drive against Sears. Pakistan need to do more of the same.

PAK: 106/3 (9.3)

Wicket! Another set batter departs as Southee strikes in his second over. Conway made no mistake as Rizwan heads back to the pavilion for 25 runs in 14 balls. Pakistan go two down as both the openers are back to the pavilion within the powerplay.

PAK: 63/2 (5.3)

Wicket! There's the first breakthrough for the hosts and it's a horrible way to lose your first wicket. Saim Ayub was looking dangerous but will now head back to the pavilion. That was brilliantly fielded by Milne and Ayub was well short of his crease.

PAK: 33/1 (2.2)

Pakistan have started their innings as openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan collected 12 runs off the first over. Williamson dropped Ayub at mid-off. 

PAK: 12/0 (1)

New Zealand have posted a total of 226/8 in their 20 overs on the back of skipper Kane Williamson's half-century whereas Daryl Mitchell played a fiery knock of 61 runs in just 27 balls with the help of four boundaries and as many sixes. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Abbas Afridi picked up three wickets each whereas Haris Rauf took two wickets.

NZ: 226/8 (20)

New Zealand are on course to reach the score of 200 unless something drastic happens in the match.

This partnership between Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell is hurting Pakistan big time here at the Eden Park. PAK bowlers need to get a breakthrough. 

Usama Mir is off the mark with the ball as he gave away nine runs in the over including a boundary. Williamson and Mitchell will be eyeing a partnership here to lay the foundation for a big score. However, the skipper is struggling at the moment with the run rate.

NZ: 70/2 (8)

Wicket! Abbas breaks the partnership as he dismisses Allen for 34 runs. The batter was well set for a big score but has to head back to pavilion as Iftikhar made no mistake with the catch.

NZ: 50/2 (4.5)

Aamir Jamal bowled a brilliant delivery to get Finn Allen out, however, it was a big no-ball. He survives. NZ 40/1 (3.4)

24 runs off the over. Finn Allen has smashed the Pakistan skipper for 24 runs in his second over. Shaheen won't like that one bit. Aamir Jamal brought into the attack.

There goes first blood. Shaheen Shah Afridi strikes first up and Devon Conway falls early. GOLDEN DUCK for the southpaw!

NZ 1/1 (0.2)

Don't go anywhere as live updates for the match will start soon. Stay tuned for live updates!

Facing a strong opposition, New Zealand, Kane Williamson makes a comeback to T20s after over a year. Despite their scrappy performance against Bangladesh, the hosts will face a tough challenge against a formidable Pakistani side in the upcoming T20 series.

Starting 2024 with the bat!

Pakistan win the toss and elect to bowl first in the KFC T20I series opener at @edenparknz. Follow play LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ or @SENZ_Radio LIVE scoring at https://t.co/3YsfR1YBHU #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/Nm8XOzMiH6, — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 12, 2024

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Mitchell Santner has been tested positive for Covid-19. Check out complete news here:

Pakistan's playing XI for the first T20I #NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/7gDFGxWUC1, — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 12, 2024

Pakistan have already named their playing XI ahead of the 1st T20 match. Abbas Afridi will make his debut.

The return of Haris Rauf strengthens Pakistan's bowling department, and Zaman Khan, who impressed in the BBL, adds depth. Facing a strong opposition, New Zealand, Kane Williamson makes a comeback to T20s after over a year.

With another T20 World Cup on the horizon, the series against New Zealand offers Pakistan an opportunity to test inexperienced players like Saim Ayub and Aamer Jamal, who have shown promise in various formats.

Shaheen Afridi, one of the world's leading fast bowlers, brings leadership experience from leading his PSL side to consecutive titles.

Despite a disappointing ODI World Cup, changes in leadership have brought excitement, with Shaheen Afridi taking charge, supported by Mohammad Rizwan as his deputy, allowing Babar Azam to focus solely on his batting.

Their impressive campaigns in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, reaching the semifinals and going a step further, have established them as a formidable T20 side.

Following a less-than-ideal Test series in Australia post the World Cup, Pakistan is aiming to regain confidence in T20 cricket, where they have shown strength in recent years.

Hello and welcome to the live cricket coverage of match no. 1 of the five-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan here at the Eden Park in Auckland.