In a high-octane encounter at Auckland on Friday, New Zealand emerged victorious, beating Pakistan by 46 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series.
The match showcased stellar performances from both sides, resulting in a record-breaking combined total of 406 runs in a T20I involving Pakistan and New Zealand.
Opting to bat first, the Black Caps posted an imposing total of 226 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell led the charge with a standout innings, scoring 61 runs, while skipper Kane Williamson contributed a solid 57 runs. Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Glenn Phillips provided crucial cameos to set a challenging target for the Pakistani side.
In response, Pakistan faced an overwhelming target of 227 runs for victory. Despite a promising start, the team was eventually bowled out for 180 runs in 18 overs.
Babar Azam was the top scorer with 57 runs, supported by contributions from Saim Ayub (27), Mohammad Rizwan (25), and Iftikhar Ahmed (24). Tim Southee proved to be a thorn in Pakistan’s side, claiming four wickets, while Adam Milne and Ben Sears secured two wickets each. Ish Sodhi also chipped in with one wicket.
Daryll Mitchell, who played a crucial role in New Zealand’s batting display, was rightfully named the player of the match.
Saim Ayub’s exceptional fielding effort saw him take four catches, setting a new record for the highest number of catches in a T20I match for Pakistan. The previous record was held by Yasir Shah with three catches.
As the series progresses, both teams will look to make strategic adjustments for the upcoming matches, building on the intense competition witnessed in the opening T20I.
