Pakistan’s struggles from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continued in the first T20I game of the five-match series against New Zealand. The Men in Green had a disappointing batting performance in the first T20I and registered an unwanted record at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, March 16.
Pakistan had a disappointing Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, where they exited in the group stage. Hoping for a turnaround, they made changes to their squad for the white-ball series against New Zealand. Notably, Pakistan dropped senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad.
Pakistan Bowled Out for 91 Runs in Series Opener Against New Zealand
Pakistan got off to a disastrous start after being sent in to bat first during the series opener against New Zealand. The visitors were reduced to 11-4 within five overs, as Kyle Jamieson wreaked havoc with the new ball. He finished with figures of 3-8 in four overs, including a maiden over.
Jacob Duffy registered career-best T20 figures of 4-14 in 3.4 overs. Pakistan never recovered from their top-order collapse, with only three batters reaching double digits.
Captain Salman Agha scored 18 runs and shared a 46-run stand with Khushdil Shah, who top-scored with 32 off 30 balls, including three sixes. Jahandad Khan added 17 runs, but Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 91 runs with eight balls remaining.
Pakistan Register Unwanted Record After Batting Collapse in New Zealand
Pakistan registered their lowest-ever T20I total on New Zealand soil. The Salman Agha-led team surpassed their previous lowest T20I total against the Black Caps, which was 101 all out in a 95-run loss in Wellington in 2016. Notably, it was their lowest T20I total in the format since 2010.
Pakistan’s Lowest Men’s T20I Scores in New Zealand:
| Score | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Christchurch | 2025 |
| 101 | Wellington | 2016 |
| 105 | Wellington | 2015 |
Pakistan’s Lowest Totals in T20Is:
| Opposition | Total | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 74 | Dubai | 2012 |
| West Indies | 82 | Mirpur | 2014 |
| India | 83 | Mirpur | 2016 |
| England | 89 | Cardiff | 2010 |
| New Zealand | 91 | Hagley Oval | 2025 |
| Sri Lanka | 95 | Hambantota | 2012 |
| Zimbabwe | 99 | Harare | 2021 |
| Sri Lanka | 101 | Lahore | 2017 |
| New Zealand | 101 | Wellington | 2016 |
| New Zealand | 105 | Wellington | 2018 |
New Zealand Thrash Pakistan, Chase 91 in Just 10.1 Overs
New Zealand chased down a 91-run target in just 10.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
Opener Tim Seifert provided an aggressive start with a quickfire 44 off 29 balls, including seven fours and a six. Finn Allen added an unbeaten 29 runs off 17 deliveries, while Tim Robinson remained unbeaten on 18. They sealed the victory with a two off the first ball of the 11th over.
The second T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan is scheduled to be played at the University Oval in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 18.
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