Pakistan embarked on a bold new chapter in T20 cricket, leaving out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on March 16, 2025, tested this aggressive approach. However, Pakistan crumbled to 91, their lowest T20I total in New Zealand. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy led the hosts’ bowling attack, tearing through the lineup.
New Zealand chased the target effortlessly, winning nine wickets in just over ten overs. This match exposed Pakistan’s batting vulnerabilities without their star players. It also showcased New Zealand’s ability to dominate, even without IPL-bound players. The experiment aimed to redefine Pakistan’s T20 identity but began with a whimper. Below, seven key points break down the game’s defining moments and implications.
New Zealand 92 for 1 (Seifert 44, Allen 29*) beat Pakistan 91 (Khushdil 32, Duffy 4-14, Jamieson 3-8) by nine wickets.
Jamieson and Duffy’s Dominance
Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy dismantled Pakistan’s batting with relentless pace and bounce. Jamieson, back after nearly two years, started with a wicket maiden, removing Mohammad Haris. Duffy struck early, too, dismissing debutant Hasan Nawaz in his first over. Together, they claimed seven wickets, with Duffy finishing at 4 for 14.
Their height and accuracy exploited the pitch’s conditions perfectly. Pakistan’s batters looked unsettled, unable to counter the movement and lift. This duo’s performance set the tone for New Zealand’s victory. It proved their bowling depth remains a threat, even without key stars.
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 1st T20I, Christchurch, March 16, 2025, Pakistan tour of New Zealand
New Zealand won by 9 wickets (with 59 balls remaining)
Pakistan (20 ovs maximum)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mohammad Haris †
|
c †Hay b Jamieson | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
|
Hasan Nawaz
|
c Jamieson b Duffy | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
|
Salman Agha (c)
|
c Seifert b Sodhi | 18 | 20 | 48 | 2 | 0 | 90.00 | ||
|
Irfan Khan
|
c †Hay b Jamieson | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16.66 | ||
|
Shadab Khan
|
c Robinson b Jamieson | 3 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | ||
|
Khushdil Shah
|
c Allen b Duffy | 32 | 30 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 106.66 | ||
|
Abdul Samad
|
c Bracewell b Sodhi | 7 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 | ||
|
Jahandad Khan
|
c Bracewell b Foulkes | 17 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 100.00 | ||
|
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
c †Hay b Duffy | 1 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 12.50 | ||
|
Abrar Ahmed
|
c Bracewell b Duffy | 2 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | ||
|
Mohammad Ali
|
not out | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | ||
| Extras | (lb 3, w 6) | 9 | |||||||
| Total |
18.4 Ov (RR: 4.87, 88 Mins)
|
91 | |||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mohammad Haris, 0.6 ov), 2-0 (Hasan Nawaz, 1.2 ov), 3-1 (Irfan Khan, 2.2 ov), 4-11 (Shadab Khan, 4.4 ov), 5-57 (Salman Agha, 11.1 ov), 6-64 (Khushdil Shah, 12.6 ov), 7-80 (Abdul Samad, 15.3 ov), 8-85 (Jahandad Khan, 17.1 ov), 9-89 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 18.1 ov), 10-91 (Abrar Ahmed, 18.4 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kyle Jamieson
|
4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2.00 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Jacob Duffy
|
3.4 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 3.81 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
|
Zakary Foulkes
|
3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 3.66 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
|
Michael Bracewell
|
4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|
Ish Sodhi
|
4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 6.75 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Key Moments Pakistan Innings
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Powerplay (0.1 – 6.0 overs) | 14 runs, 4 wickets |
| Review (Over 5.6) | NZ challenged, Umpire WR Knights, Agha Salman (Struck down) |
| Drinks Break (10.0 overs) | Pakistan – 42/4 (Agha Salman 16, Khushdil Shah 17) |
| 50 Runs Milestone | Pakistan – 50 runs in 10.5 overs (Extras 5) |
| Innings Break | Pakistan – 91/10 in 18.4 overs (Mohammad Ali 1) |
New Zealand (T: 92 runs from 20 ovs)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tim Seifert
|
c †Mohammad Haris b Abrar Ahmed | 44 | 29 | 28 | 7 | 1 | 151.72 | ||
|
Finn Allen
|
not out | 29 | 17 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 170.58 | ||
|
Tim Robinson
|
not out | 18 | 15 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 120.00 | ||
| Extras | (lb 1) | 1 | |||||||
| Total |
10.1 Ov (RR: 9.04, 47 Mins)
|
92/1 | |||||||
|
Did not bat: Mark Chapman,
Daryl Mitchell,
Mitchell Hay †,
Michael Bracewell (c),
Zakary Foulkes,
Kyle Jamieson,
Ish Sodhi,
Jacob Duffy
|
|||||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Tim Seifert, 5.5 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
Key Moments – New Zealand’s innings
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Powerplay (0.1 – 6.0 overs) | 53 runs, 1 wicket |
| 50 Runs Milestone | New Zealand – 50 runs in 5.2 overs (Extras 0) |
| 1st Wicket Partnership | 50 runs in 32 balls (TL Seifert 42, FH Allen 9, Ex 0) |
| Review (Over 8.6) | Pakistan challenged, Umpire WR Knights, TB Robinson (Struck down) |
| Drinks Break (10.0 overs) | New Zealand – 90/1 (FH Allen 29, TB Robinson 16) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Mohammad Ali
|
3 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 8.33 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|
Jahandad Khan
|
1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|
Abrar Ahmed
|
2.1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 6.92 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|
Shadab Khan
|
2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Match Analysis: Pakistan vs. New Zealand, 1st T20I
Pakistan’s new top order imploded under pressure from New Zealand’s bowlers. Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz fell for ducks in the first over. By the third over, the score read 1 for 3, a historic low for Pakistan. The inexperience showed as early wickets crippled their momentum.
Tim Robinson’s stunning catch at backward point worsened the slide to 11 for 4. The aggressive intent was there, but the execution failed miserably. This collapse revealed the risks of Pakistan’s revamped strategy. Stability remains a glaring issue for the new-look side.
Agha and Khushdil’s Resistance
Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah offered Pakistan a flicker of hope amid the ruins. After a dire powerplay, they steadied the innings with cautious play. Khushdil smashed back-to-back sixes off Michael Bracewell, showing a fight.
Agha added a reverse-swept four, briefly lifting the scoring rate. Their 40-plus stand was Pakistan’s only resistance, pushing the total past 60. However, both fell, attempting big shots, ending the recovery. This partnership hinted at middle-order potential but lacked staying power. It underscored Pakistan’s struggle to build innings under pressure.
New Zealand’s Bowling Strategy
The Chart shows scores from 2016 (101 runs in Wellington), 2018 (105 runs in Wellington), and 2025 (91 runs in Christchurch). New Zealand’s bowlers executed a near-perfect plan to exploit Pakistan’s weaknesses. Jamieson and Duffy used bounce to dismantle the top order early. Ish Sodhi’s spin broke the Agha-Khushdil stand with clever variation. Bringing Duffy back later cleaned up the tail efficiently. Their bowling has been good even though they were beaten by the India Cricket National Team in CT 2025.
Their pace and accuracy maximized the pitch’s assistance. Even without IPL stars, the attack showed discipline and depth. This strategy kept Pakistan on the back foot throughout. It highlighted New Zealand’s adaptability in home conditions.
Seifert’s Quick Start in the Chase
Tim Seifert ensured New Zealand’s chase began with aggression and confidence. He attacked Shaheen Afridi, hitting three boundaries in one over. His 44 off 28 balls included a massive six off Abrar Ahmed. Seifert’s intent took the pressure off the rest of the lineup instantly.
Pakistan’s bowlers looked rattled as he dominated the powerplay. His dismissal came too late to shift the momentum back. This blistering start made the low target feel even smaller. Seifert proved his value in sealing quick victories, as New Zealand has also beaten Pakistan convincingly in CT 2025 group stage matches.
New Zealand In control
Finn Allen played a vital supporting role in New Zealand’s comfortable chase. Initially quiet, he watched Seifert take charge before stepping up. His unbeaten 29 featured a six and two fours, showing flair. Allen lofted Jahandad Khan down the ground for the chase’s first maximum.
After Seifert’s exit, he guided the team home with ease. This knock marked a timely return to form for the opener. It bolstered New Zealand’s batting confidence for the series. Allen’s contribution ensured no hiccups in the victory.
Implications for Pakistan
Pakistan’s new T20 era started with a harsh lesson in Christchurch. Dropping Babar and Rizwan aimed for aggression, but the batting faltered badly. The top order’s failure exposed a lack of experience and composure. Agha and Khushdil showed promise yet couldn’t prevent a low total.
This defeat questions the team’s readiness for high-risk cricket. Rebuilding without their stars will need time and adjustments. The series ahead offers chances to refine this approach. For now, Pakistan faces a steep challenge to compete.
