Seifert, Duffy star as New Zealand down Pakistan in first T20I

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New Zealand’s batsman Tim Seifert and fast-bowler Jacob Duffy, who was making his debut, starred in their respective roles as the Kiwis defeated Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) at Eden Park in Auckland by five wickets.

Chasing a 154-run target against a resurgent Pakistan, which had climbed out of a troubling score-line of 20 for the loss of four wickets to set the eventual target, the Kiwi batsmen lost two quick wickets in the initial overs.

Opener Martin Guptill was the first to depart, courtesy of an incredible catch by skipper Shadab Khan off the bowling of fast-bowler Shaheen Afridi, after scoring six runs off 10 balls. Batsman Devon Conway (5) fell next, caught and bowled by fast-bowler Haris Rauf, to reduce New Zealand to 21 for two in 3.3 overs.

Opener Tim Seifert then combined with batsman Glenn Phillips for a productive 44-run partnership to settle the nerves of the Kiwi batting lineup.

The fiery Haris Rauf removed Phillips, caught by fielder Khushdil Shah, after the batsman had scored a helpful 23-run knock off 18 deliveries.

Seifert was then joined by batsman Mark Chapman for a 45-run partnership which brought the target within touching distance.

Skipper Shadab Khan brought back Shaheen Shah in the 14th over as Pakistan needed a breakthrough to stay competitive in the game. The move paid dividends as Seifert was removed by Shah, courtesy of an extraordinary catch by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, after scoring 57 runs off 43 deliveries.

As the scorecard pressure begun to accumulate towards the end Ashraf, who had previously taken a great catch, fumbled a simple chance at fine-leg of Mark Chapman who miscued a pull to a delivery bowled by fast-bowler Wahab Riaz. The spill went for four and proved to be a costly miss at a crucial point of the match.

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Rauf then quickly removed Chapman after the latter missed out on a full-toss and was adjudged LBW. Batsmen James Neesham ( 15 off 10 deliveries) and Mitchell Santner (12 off 8 deliveries) however made sure that the Kiwis did not face any further jitters and propelled their side over the finish line with seven balls to spare.

Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers picking up three wickets in four overs at the expense of 29 runs.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shadab Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision proved to be disastrous early in Pakistan’s innings as the top-order batsmen appeared stunned by the pace and bounce on offer in Eden Park.

Opener Abdullah Shafique (0) chipped an easy catch to fielder Mark Chapman off the bowling of fast-bowler Jacob Duffy.

The debutant pacer then removed opener Mohammad Rizwan (17), caught by fielder Glenn Phillips, after a cautious knock from the wicketkeeper-batsman as Pakistan appeared desperate for a partnership to avoid a humiliatingly low total.

Batsmen Haider Ali (3) and Mohammad Hafeez (0) departed without putting a dent on the scorecard after being removed by fast-bowlers Scott Kuggeleijn and Jacob Duffy, respectively, to reduce the Men in Green to 20 for the loss of four wickets in 4.1 overs.

However, Pakistan’s skipper Shadab Khan stepped up for the Men in Green at this crucial junction in a bid to drag the scorecard forward in the face of unrelenting pressure from the Kiwi bowlers.

Batsmen Khushdil Shah (16 off 20 deliveries) and Imad Wasim (19 off 14 deliveries) tried to build partnerships with Shadab but were removed by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and Kuggeleijn as they tried to push for the momentum.

Khan, however, stood tall as he scratched and clawed his way to 42 runs off just 32 deliveries to give his side a chance at a decent total. The skipper finally fell to Duffy but after providing a solid foundation. Tailender Wahab Riaz (9) fell next to Kuggeleijn as the Pakistan looked to finish on a high note.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf continued the gains made by Shadab with a quick-fire knock of 31 runs off just 18 deliveries, before falling to bowler Blair Tickner in the final over of the innings. Tailender Shaheen Shah made 10 off 5 deliveries in the end as Pakistan finished with 153 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted overs.

Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, picking up four wickets in four overs at the expense of 33 runs. The debutant received the player of the match award as well for his outstanding contribution with the ball.