Pakistan´s gamers depart the bottom after shedding the primary T20I in opposition to New Zealand on the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, 2025. — AFP
CHRISTCHURCH: Reacting to their humiliating loss in opposition to New Zealand within the first T20I, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has admitted to the group falling in need of what was required of them and that that they had not been at their greatest.
“It was difficult, we weren’t up to the mark, but we need to regather (ahead of Dunedin). They bowled really well, in great areas, there was a bit of seam movement as well. We will sit down, have a chat and think about the next game,” he mentioned in a post-match press convention whereas terming the defeat onerous to digest.
His remarks got here after the Inexperienced Shirts suffered a nine-wicket loss in opposition to the Black Caps within the collection opener because the hosts simply chased down their 92-run goal.
Expressing his views, Agha praised the performances of Pakistan’s debutants within the match, highlighting their potential.
“We had three debutants, the more games they play, they’ll learn more. The new ball does a bit in New Zealand, we’ve got good bowlers and we’ll look to do well in the next match,” he mentioned.
The vacationers started the five-match collection in disastrous vogue, lowered to 11-4 on the finish of the fifth over after towering pacer Kyle Jamieson ran amok with the brand new ball.
They had been ultimately dismissed for his or her lowest rating in a T20I on New Zealand soil and the house facet had few issues in responding with 92-1 off simply 10.1 overs.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen displayed distinctive batting from the beginning, placing on a 53-run stand contained in the powerplay, showcasing their brilliance with the bat.
Seifert was heading towards one more half-century within the T20I format however fell brief, dismissed for 44 off 29 deliveries by Abrar Ahmed, leaving the rating at 53-1 in 5.5 overs.
Tim Robinson then joined Allen and eased the stress, serving to chase down the goal within the eleventh over, giving New Zealand a 1-0 lead within the collection. Finn Allen scored an unbeaten 29, whereas Robinson made 18 runs.
For Pakistan, spinner Abrar Ahmed was the one bowler to take a wicket, whereas the opposite bowlers didn’t make an affect.
Earlier within the day, Pakistan struggled in opposition to a disciplined New Zealand bowling assault and had been bundled out for 91, with Kyle Jamieson main the cost by selecting up essential wickets.
The Males in Inexperienced’s innings acquired off to a disastrous begin, with only one run on the board earlier than they misplaced three fast wickets. Jamieson dismissed Mohammad Haris for a duck, whereas Irfan Khan managed solely a single run.
Debutant Hasan Nawaz additionally fell cheaply, out for a second-ball duck to Jacob Duffy, placing Pakistan underneath early stress.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan didn’t stabilise the innings, scoring simply three runs off six deliveries earlier than changing into Jamieson’s third sufferer.
Skipper Agha and Khushdil Shah put up some resistance with a 46-run stand for the fifth wicket, trying to regular the innings. Nevertheless, their efforts weren’t sufficient, as Ish Sodhi dismissed Agha for 18 runs off 20 balls, leaving Pakistan at 57-5 in 11.1 overs.
Khushdil, who seemed aggressive, was the one batter to offer some fireworks, scoring 32 runs, together with three sixes. Nevertheless, his innings was minimize brief within the thirteenth over when Duffy struck once more.
Pakistan will now tackle New Zealand within the second T20I, of the five-match collection, on Tuesday.
Enjoying XIs
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, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
