CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Pakistan's cricket team faced a disappointing start to their latest series, suffering a nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand during the first T20 International at Hagley Oval on March 16, 2025. This loss marked the beginning of what many hoped would be a new chapter for the team under first-time captain Salman Ali Agha but instead showcased significant issues within the squad.
Pakistan's batting line struggled substantially, collapsing to just 91 runs, their fifth-lowest total ever recorded in T20 internationals and the lowest they have achieved on New Zealand soil. Agha recognized the team's shortcomings, stating, "It was difficult, we weren't up to the mark, but we need to regather (ahead of Dunedin)." He highlighted the disciplined bowling of New Zealand, which exploited the seam movement apparent on the Hagley Oval pitch, saying, "They bowled really well, in great areas, there was a bit of seam movement as well. We will sit down, have a chat and think about the next game."
The start of Pakistan's innings was catastrophic, losing three wickets for just one run within the first four overs. Pacer Kyle Jamieson struck early, dismissing opener Mohammad Haris for naught, followed by debutant Hasan Nawaz, who was also out for a duck, and vice-captain Shadab Khan who managed to score only three runs.
Despite the dire situation, Agha and Khushdil Shah attempted to stabilize the innings, putting together a brief but significant 46-run partnership before Agha was dismissed for 18 runs. Khushdil showed some resilience, scoring 32 runs and hitting three sixes, but his dismissal to Jacob Duffy left Pakistan bereft of hope at 57 for five. The innings eventually crumbled, with Duffy leading the New Zealand attack with four wickets and Jamieson adding three. Pakistan’s innings came to an end after 18.4 overs, falling short of even 100 runs.
Chasing the modest target of 92, New Zealand's openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen quickly demonstrated their team's superiority. They built a commanding partnership, reaching 53 runs by the end of the powerplay. Seifert played aggressively, scoring 44 runs off just 29 deliveries before falling to Abrar Ahmed. Allen finished the innings with 29 not out, continuing the solid performance alongside Tim Robinson, who contributed 18 runs to complete the chase comfortably by the 11th over.
The defeat was compounded by criticism on social media directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for dropping senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as part of their strategy to rejuvenate the team. Many fans have expressed concerns over the decision, especially following such a poor performance. Agha, reflecting on the inclusion of debutants, said, "We had three debutants, the more games they play, they'll learn more. The new ball does a bit in New Zealand; we've good bowlers, and we'll look to do well in the next match."
It seems the task for Agha and his team is not just to regroup and prepare for the second T20I scheduled for March 18, 2025, at Dunedin but to reassess their entire strategy moving forward. They must find solutions quickly to avoid falling behind New Zealand, who now leads the five-match series 1-0.
The road to improvement is clear — it will take more than just regaining composure for the Pakistan team to recover from this setback. They will need effective communication and strategic planning to develop over the course of the series as they work toward accommodating the newer players and solving their batting woes.
With such high expectations before the series and the looming pressure of the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, the next game presents not just another match but another opportunity to prove their mettle and ability to adapt under challenging conditions.