Left-armers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc, sharing five wickets to dismantle New Zealand for a paltry 90 runs before Mohammad Rizwan anchored the chase, guiding Pakistan to victory in the second Twenty20 clash on Saturday in Rawalpindi.
Shaheen led the attack with figures of 3-13, while Amir, making a return to international cricket after nearly four years, finished with 2-13 as the visitors were bundled out in 18.1 overs after being sent in to bat.
Rizwan’s unbeaten 45 off 34 balls, including a six and four boundaries, ensured Pakistan chased down the modest target in just 12.1 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The first match, also held in Rawalpindi, was washed out after just two deliveries on Thursday.
Although New Zealand fought back with wickets of Saim Ayub (four), Babar Azam (14), and debutant Usman Khan (seven), Muhammad Irfan Khan’s run-a-ball 18, along with Rizwan’s innings, led Pakistan to a comfortable victory.
Ayub struck a boundary off the first ball of the innings before falling to pacer Ben Lister off the next delivery, while Azam was stumped off rival skipper Michael Bracewell, and Usman was bowled by spinner Ish Sodhi.
In the New Zealand innings, Amir made early breakthroughs, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance. Spinners Abrar Ahmed (2-15) and Shadab Khan (2-15) capitalized on the pressure, resulting in New Zealand’s second-lowest total against Pakistan in T20 cricket.
Mark Chapman (19), Cole McConchie (15), Dean Foxcroft (13), and Tim Seifert (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures, with Chapman hitting three boundaries in his 16-ball knock.
New Zealand’s lowest T20I total against Pakistan is 80, achieved at Christchurch in 2010.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah, playing his first match since injuring his shoulder in September last year, took 1-27 in four overs.
Both teams are gearing up for the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to be held in June in the United States and the West Indies.
New Zealand are missing several key players due to their participation in the ongoing Indian Premier League, along with unavailability and injuries.
The remaining matches are set to take place in Rawalpindi on Sunday, followed by the last two matches in Lahore on April 25 and 27.