• By Manik Sharma
  • Fri, 12 Jan 2024 04:04 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

NZ vs PAK, 1st T20I: In a commanding display at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand took an early lead in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan with a convincing victory. The Kiwis, led by skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, showed batting masterclass to post a massive first innings total. Despite a promising start from Pakistan, they fell short by 46 runs.

The match began with a bang for Pakistan as their new T20I skipper, Shaheen Afridi, made an early breakthrough by dismissing Devon Conway for a golden duck. Finn Allen then stole the spotlight with an explosive display, with boundaries against Shaheen.

Williamson, initially slow, found his rhythm alongside Mitchell, and the duo orchestrated a revival in the middle overs. Mitchell emerged as the tormentor for Pakistan, punishing bowlers like Usama Mir and Aamer Jamal. Williamson departed for 57 after getting out to Abbas Afridi.

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The late fireworks came from Mark Chapman and Tim Southee, with Chapman smashing 26 off 11 balls, including a six to finish the innings with 226 runs on the board.

In response, Pakistan showed promise with Saim Ayub's aggressive start in the powerplay. Ayub's attacking approach yielded quick runs, however his innings was cut short by a quick run-out by Adam Milne, restricting him to an 8-ball 27.

Despite Mohammad Rizwan's brief period of good form, New Zealand chipped away at wickets. Ish Sodhi's spectacular one-handed catch off his own bowling dismissed Fakhar Zaman, while Southee claimed Iftikhar's wicket with a well-disguised slower delivery.

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As the boundaries continued to flow, New Zealand regained control with crucial wickets. Azam Khan and Shaheen fell victim to Milne, leaving Pakistan with a daunting task.

Babar Azam fought valiantly, reaching his fifty with a display of boundaries, but the odds were against Pakistan. A late surge from Aamer Jamal could not change the inevitable outcome, and Babar's dismissal marked the end for Pakistan as they folded for 180, leading to a 46-run victory.

Tim Southee's exceptional bowling, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs, played a pivotal role in securing the comprehensive win for the hosts. Southee became the first player to claim 150 wickets in the T20Is.