Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, marked his 100th international match in the shortest format with a massive victory over New Zealand in the first T20 match in Lahore on Friday. Despite Azam’s underwhelming performance of just nine runs, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub helped Pakistan clinch the game with 47 runs each, establishing a partnership of 79 runs for the third wicket and leading Pakistan to 182 all-out in 19.5 overs.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf, one of the five players who made a comeback after being rested in Pakistan’s last series against Afghanistan, achieved career-best figures of 4-18, leading the team to restrict New Zealand to 94 all-out in 15.3 overs. Imad Wasim, a left-arm spinner, finished with 2-2 in his only over, taking both wickets off successive deliveries.
New Zealand’s bowlers struggled, with Adam Milne picking up two early wickets, but Henry was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 3-32. Lister finished with figures of 2-30, while Milne ended up with 2-51. Mark Chapman was the top scorer for New Zealand, making 34 runs off 27 balls, while skipper Tom Latham contributed a 20-ball 24. Rauf’s previous best T20 figures of 4-22 were also against New Zealand in Sharjah in 2021.
Pakistan had a poor start after winning the toss and batting, losing both their openers, Mohammad Rizwan, and Azam, to pacer Adam Milne by the fifth over for just 30. However, Ayub and Zaman took charge, with Ayub lifting the tempo with two boundaries each off Milne and Ben Lister. Ayub and Zaman also hit a six each off spinner Ish Sodhi in the tenth over. Zaman made 47 runs off 34 balls, while Ayub’s 28-ball innings featured six fours and two sixes before being run out while taking a second run.
Faheem Ashraf hit a 16-ball 22, while Wasim scored 16 off 13 balls to help Pakistan add 47 runs in the last five overs. Henry was the most successful New Zealand bowler, with 3-32, while Lister had figures of 2-30 and Milne 2-51. Pakistan was eventually bowled out on the penultimate ball.
The remaining four matches are set to take place in Lahore on April 15 and 17 and in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24. This victory has given Pakistan an early lead in the five-match series, and they will be looking to capitalize on their current momentum. Despite the absence of key players such as Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson from the New Zealand squad, Pakistan’s victory was still impressive, particularly due to Rauf’s bowling performance.
Rauf’s performance was particularly noteworthy, and he will be one to watch in the upcoming games. His consistency and accuracy with the ball were unmatched, and he was instrumental in ensuring that New Zealand did not get close to Pakistan’s total. Moreover, Rauf’s comeback to the team after being rested in the last series shows how vital he is to Pakistan’s success in the T20 format.
Pakistan’s opening pair, Rizwan and Azam, were unable to provide a good start, but their middle-order batsmen, particularly Ayub and Zaman, played with aggression and intent. Their partnership proved crucial in setting a solid foundation for the team to build on, and they will be looking to replicate their success in the upcoming matches.
Pakistan’s victory was comprehensive and well-deserved, but they will need to remain focused and avoid complacency in the remaining matches. New Zealand is known for its fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude, and they will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming games.
The remaining four matches of the series will be played in Lahore (April 15, 17) and Rawalpindi (April 20 and 24). Pakistan will look to continue their winning momentum, while New Zealand will hope to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
