New Zealand secure nine-wicket win over Pakistan in first T20I

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New Zealand beat Pakistan by nine wickets in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Sunday. 

Chasing a modest target of 92, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen gave New Zealand a flying start. The pair put on a 53-run partnership within the first six overs, showcasing excellent batting and aggressive stroke play. 

Seifert was on track for another half-century in the T20I format but fell for 44 runs off 29 balls, dismissed by Abrar Ahmed. At that point, New Zealand was 53-1 in 5.5 overs.

Tim Robinson then joined Allen, and together, they guided New Zealand to the target with ease, completing the chase in the 11th over. Allen remained unbeaten on 29, while Robinson contributed 18 runs. With the win, New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the series.

For Pakistan, spinner Abrar Ahmed was the only bowler to take a wicket, while the other bowlers were unable to make an impact.

Earlier, Pakistan was asked to bat first but struggled against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, getting bowled out for just 91 runs. Kyle Jamieson led the charge, taking key wickets.

Pakistan's innings began disastrously as they lost three wickets with just one run on the board. Jamieson dismissed Mohammad Haris for a duck, while Irfan Khan could only manage a single run. 

Debutant Hasan Nawaz also fell cheaply, dismissed for a second-ball duck by Jacob Duffy, putting Pakistan in early trouble.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan tried to stabilize the innings but was dismissed for just three runs off six balls, falling to Jamieson’s third wicket. At 11-4 in the fifth over, Pakistan was in deep trouble.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah showed some resistance with a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, their efforts were not enough as Ish Sodhi removed Agha for 18 runs, leaving Pakistan at 57-5 in the 12th over.

Khushdil, who was looking aggressive, was the only batter to make an impact, scoring 32 runs, including three sixes. However, his innings ended in the 13th over when Duffy took his wicket, reducing Pakistan to 64-6.

Pakistan continued to lose wickets quickly, with debutant Abdul Samad dismissed for seven runs by Sodhi, leaving the team at 80-7 in the 16th over.

Zakary Foulkes struck next, dismissing Jahandad Khan for 17 runs, and Pakistan was left struggling at 85-8. Shaheen Afridi also failed to contribute much, getting out for just one, leaving Pakistan at 89-9 in 18.1 overs.

Abrar Ahmed was the last to fall, as Pakistan’s innings ended at 91.
Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, while Kyle Jamieson picked up three. Ish Sodhi took two wickets, and Zakary Foulkes chipped in with one.

With this comprehensive win, New Zealand took control of the series, leading 1-0 with four more matches to play.

Playing XI: 

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy