Pakistan suffered a crushing nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first match of their Twenty20 series in Christchurch on Sunday, failing to defend a paltry total of 91 runs.
The tourists’ disastrous start to the five-match series saw them reduced to 11-4 by the end of the fifth over, with New Zealand’s towering paceman Kyle Jamieson wreaking havoc with the new ball. Pakistan’s innings ended at a dismal 91, their lowest T20 score on New Zealand soil. In reply, New Zealand comfortably chased down the target, reaching 92-1 in just 10.1 overs.
Jamieson claimed three of the first four wickets, finishing with outstanding figures of 3-8 from four overs. His bowling partner, Jacob Duffy, later returned to wrap up Pakistan’s tail, taking 4-14 off 3.4 overs, marking a career-best performance.
Pakistan’s top order collapsed after being put in to bat on a Hagley Oval pitch that offered early movement. Only three players managed to reach double figures. Captain Salman Agha top-scored with 18, sharing a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Khushdil Shah, who contributed 32 from 30 balls, including three sixes. Jahandad Khan added 17 off 17 balls before Pakistan was bowled out with eight balls remaining.
Pakistan’s previous lowest T20 score in New Zealand was 101, which they posted in a 95-run defeat in Wellington in 2016.
New Zealand’s chase was led by opener Tim Seifert, who blasted 44 off 29 balls, including seven fours and one six. Finn Allen (29) and Tim Robinson (18) finished the job, completing the chase on the first ball of the 11th over.
The second match of the series will take place in Dunedin on Tuesday.
