Pakistan’s disastrous performance leads to unwanted records in first T20I against New Zealand

The Pakistan cricket team endured a heavy nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand on Sunday in the first T20I of their five-match series at Hagley Oval.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan’s opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz failed to get their team off to a good start, both being dismissed for ducks. Muhammad Irfan Khan, promoted to number four, scored just one run before being sent back by Kyle Jamieson. Pakistan was quickly reduced to 1/3 in just 2.2 overs.

Despite some resistance from Khushdil Shah, who top-scored with 32 runs, Pakistan’s batting collapsed, and they were bowled out for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs. This became their fifth-lowest total in T20I history and their lowest-ever total against New Zealand, surpassing their previous record of 101 runs set in 2016.

In response, New Zealand easily chased down the modest target, reaching 92/1 in just 10.1 overs, with 59 balls to spare. Tim Seifert (44) and Finn Allen (29*) provided a solid start, and Tim Robinson (18) helped guide the team to victory. 

Kyle Jamieson (3 wickets) and Jacob Duffy (4 wickets) were the standout bowlers for New Zealand. Pakistan’s collapse began early, with their score at a shocking 11-4 in 4.4 overs. Despite a 46-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha (18) and Khushdil Shah, Pakistan could not recover, and the innings ended at 91.

This defeat marked Pakistan’s worst-ever T20I loss in terms of balls remaining, surpassing their previous worst of a nine-wicket defeat to Australia in 2017, where they were beaten by 55 balls.

Pakistan's worst T20I defeats while batting first:

• 9 wickets, 59 balls remaining – vs New Zealand, Christchurch, 2025  
• 9 wickets, 55 balls remaining – vs Australia, Harare, 2017  
• 7 wickets, 52 balls remaining – vs Australia, Hobart, 2024  
• 10 wickets, 51 balls remaining – vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2007  
• 10 wickets, 49 balls remaining – vs Australia, Perth, 2019  

In addition, Pakistan set another unwanted record, posting their second-lowest score in the powerplay during this match, with just 14 runs.

Pakistan's lowest powerplay scores:

• 13 runs – vs West Indies, 2014  
• 14 runs – vs New Zealand, 2025  
• 15 runs – vs Australia, 2024  
• 18 runs – vs Sri Lanka, 2012  
• 18 runs – vs South Africa, 2013  

With this comprehensive defeat, New Zealand now leads the series 1-0. The second T20I of the series will be played on Tuesday in Dunedin.