New Zealand secured a convincing victory against Pakistan, winning the first T20I by nine wickets, marking the start of the five-match series on March 16, 2025. The match took place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where Pakistan found themselves mired in trouble early when they batted first and set a dismal total of just 91 runs. This was not only their lowest score against New Zealand but also significant as it represented the first time Pakistan had been bowled out for less than 100 runs against the Black Caps in T20Is.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Pakistan endured a nightmare start. Their troubles began when opener Mohammad Haris, along with debutant Hasan Nawaz, failed to get off the mark, with both dismissed within the first two overs. They were quickly followed by Irfan Khan, who was also sent back to the balcony with nothing to show for his efforts, leaving the visitors struggling at 11 for four.
This precarious situation was largely thanks to the ferocious bowling of New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson. Exploiting the conditions superbly, Jamieson took three wickets for just eight runs, ripping through the early order to leave Pakistan reeling. Jacob Duffy continued the assault with extraordinary figures of 4 for 14 over 3.4 overs, making it nearly impossible for Pakistan to recover.
Despite the dire start, captain Salman Ali Agha and middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah managed to stabilize the innings with a brief partnership of 46 runs for the fifth wicket. Agha scored 18 runs off 20 balls before leg-spinner Ish Sodhi accounted for his wicket. Shah emerged as Pakistan's standout performer, scoring 32 runs off 30 balls, which included three sixes.
Elsewhere, the wickets continued to tumble with Duffy and Jamieson sharing the spoils. Ish Sodhi also contributed by taking two wickets for 27 runs, leaving Pakistan bundled out for 91 runs after only 18.4 overs.
With such a meager target set, New Zealand's chase began with purpose. Tim Seifert, returning to the lineup, led the charge with unrelenting aggression, scoring 44 runs off just 29 balls. Finn Allen supported him by making 29 runs off 17 balls, helping New Zealand to reach their target easily. The pair established control early on and kept the scoreboard ticking.
The New Zealand batsmen took full advantage of the Pakistani bowlers’ shortcomings, with Abrar Ahmed managing to snag the only wicket for Pakistan, dismissing Seifert. By then, New Zealand had already amassed 92 runs, with the match concluding with them scoring 92 for the loss of just one wicket, inside 10.1 overs.
For Pakistan, this match not only highlighted their batting struggles but also put them on the wrong side of history. Coach Agha must reassess the strategies employed, as they move forward, needing to improve considerably if they hope to bounce back in the series. "We will put this behind us and try to bounce back stronger," Agha mentioned post-match.
Kyle Jamieson, named Player of the Match, acknowledged the team's exceptional performance and said, "It feels good to get off to such a solid start." New Zealand's captain, Michael Bracewell, expressed his delight over the team's performance, praising the bowling display as well as Seifert’s innings, which set the foundation for the win.
New Zealand now leads the series 1-0, and the next game is scheduled for March 18, 2025. Both sides will hope to turn the tide as the tournament continues, with Pakistan on the lookout for redemption against the Black Caps.