NZ vs PAK 2025, 1st T20I Review: Kiwi bowlers wreak havoc, grant comfortable win

Hosts New Zealand made an impressive start to their five-match T20I series against Pakistan, registering a comfortable nine-wicket victory in the first match at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Sunday. A brilliant bowling display, courtesy of Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, and Ish Sodhi, dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 91. In reply, the Kiwis chased down the target with ease, reaching 92/1 in just 10.1 overs.

Asked to bat first after losing the toss, the Men in Green suffered a disastrous start, losing their first three wickets within the opening three overs. Mohammad Haris was the first to depart, failing to open his account as he edged Jamieson to wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay. Hasan Nawaz followed in the second over, falling to Duffy for duck.

Irfan Khan also failed to contribute significantly, becoming Jamieson’s second victim in the third over. Pakistan’s woes continued as Shadab Khan was dismissed in the fifth over, with the scorecard reading 14/4 after six overs. Skipper Salman Agha tried to stabilize the innings with an 18-run contribution before falling to Sodhi.

Khushdil Shah was the only batter to show some fight, top-scoring with 32 off 30 balls, including three sixes. However, he found no support at the other end as wickets continued to fall. Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/14 in his 3.4 overs, while Jamieson finished with figures of 3/8 from his four overs. Sodhi and Zakary Foulkes chipped in with two and one wickets, respectively, as the visitors were bundled out for 91 in 18.4 overs.

Chasing a target of 92, New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided a solid start. The duo added 53 runs for the first wicket before Seifert departed after making 44 off 29 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six.

Allen remained unbeaten on 29 off 17 balls, while Tim Robinson contributed with an 18-run cameo. The hosts comfortably reached the target in 10.1 overs, registering a victory with 59 balls to spare, and went 1-0 up in the series. Jamieson was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance. The second T20I will be played in Dunedin on March 18.