NZ vs PAK: An excellent performance from New Zealand in the 1st T20i allowed them to take the lead against Pakistan in the five-match T20i series. Fifties from Captain Kane Willianson (57 runs) and All-Rounder Daryl Mitchell (61 runs) helped the Kiwi’s post a huge total of 226 runs on the board. At one point, it looked like Pakistan was on course to chase the target of 227 runs, but eventually the Men in Green fell short by 46 runs.

Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi gave a great start to his team as he managed to dismiss Devon Conway for a golden duck in the first over of the game. The Black Caps scored just six runs in the first two overs of the game, but things changed when Afridi came back to bowl his second over and Finn Allen completely ripped him apart as he hit two sixes and three fours. He even hit a huge maximum in the over of Aamir Jamal before getting dismissed by debutant Abbas Afridi, which ended his brilliant cameo of 34 runs.

Skipper Kane Williamson got off to a slow start in the powerplay, but he kept his calm and composure, and alongside compatriot Daryl Mitchell, he stabilized things for the Black Caps in the middle overs. Mitchell dealt the most damage between the two to the Pakistani Bowlers as he scored two back maximums against Usama Mir and hit a six and a four in the third over of Aamir Jamal, and skipper Williamson didn’t hold back either as he managed to score back-to-back boundaries in the same over to bring up his half century before giving away his wicket to Abbas Afridi.

Daryl received a good amount of support from Glenn Phillips as he played a decent cameo of 19 runs from 11 balls. Mark Chapman ensured the hosts didn’t miss the finishing capabilities of Mitchell Santner with a brilliant knock of 26 runs in just 11 balls, which allowed the Kiwi’s to cross the 200-run mark.

Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-46), Haris Rauf (2-34) and debutant Abbas Afridi (3-34) were the best bowlers for the visitors. Aamir Jamal and Usama Mir were the most expensive bowlers, as they gave away 55 runs and 51 runs in their four overs.

In reply to the target of 227 runs set by the hosts, openers Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub stitched a partnership of 33 runs for the first wicket in the first two overs. Saim Ayub managed to score 27 runs from eight balls before getting a run out off the bowling of Adam Milne.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan played a decent knock of 25 runs in 14 balls before giving away his wicket to Tim Southee in the 5th over of the second innings.

Babar Azam (57 runs in 35 balls) took his time to settle down in the middle, but he changed gears and brought up his 31st half century in 33 balls. But the required rate kept on increasing, and the 29-year-old, in the hopes of keeping Pakistan in the chase got dismissed by youngster Ben Sears. After the dismissal of Babar, the Men in Green couldn’t do much and got all out for 180 runs in 18 overs.

New Zealand Batting Scorecard

Pakistan Batting Scorecard

The 2nd T20i between the two sides will take place on the 14th of January, Sunday, in Hamilton’s Seddon Park.

Read: PAK vs NZ: Head-to-Head record, Live streaming details, Pitch report, Weather report and Playing 11

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