Mitchell, Williamson and Southee lead New Zealand to comprehensive win
Chasing 227, only Babar Azam was able to push on with fifty which wasn't enough for a win
Chasing 227, only Babar Azam was able to push on with fifty which wasn't enough for a win
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: Rvel Zahid
Phew, that was an enthralling series opener with batters having a feast out there. Tim Southee showed the recipe for success on this pitch; he bowled his slower ones with unerring accuracy and picked up a match-winning four-fer. Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the equation became tougher with each passing over. Just when batters strung together a partnership and got a semblance of control, New Zealand managed to get an upper hand in the game with a wicket. Pakistan will rue the lapses in the field but we can expect them to come up with better bowling plans in the upcoming games and fine tune their performance. That's it from ESPNcricinfo's coverage of the first T20I. Don't forget to join us again on Sunday for the second meeting between these two sides in Hamilton. Until then, it's goodbye and goodnight from Rvel Zahid and rest of the crew.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand Captain: That was pretty chaotic. There were some really good partnerships throughout obviously a fantastic knock from Darryl, but some really valuable contributions, guys, coming in doing the work. I thought everybody contributed really well with the ball. We had partnerships in the first half. A special mention to Tim Southee, that was a remarkable spell. Everyone contributed well with the ball. He has been around for a long, long time. It was a fantastic game. It was great to see a fantastic crowd, hope they continue to support throughout the series. Need to build on the positives,I mean there's always little things to touch on but rather build on the positives...the margins are fine in this format.
Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan Captain: First time captaincy, always proud captaining your country. Short boundaries for fast bowlers but it's just a start and we played very good cricket. We will try to give our best in nest few games. Mitchell played really well. We need to do more work as a fielding unit. I think for us it's a positive sign, Saim Ayub played a good innings, you need to give them time and we are planning for World Cup and that's a start. As a bowling unit, we need to use variations at right time
Shah: "Cant understand the criticism on Babar. He literally did what Williamson did, just a tad bit better "
Jutt: "The big difference between the two teams today is fielding. Pak is so poor in fielding as same in Aus test series and received white wash for that. They need to improve thier fielding to win matches otherwise ready for another defeat in kext mathes too.
Chandan: "And with that Fourfer The Maestro Southee Equals Great Courtney Walsh with Most International Wickets...Take a Bow Tim"
DrBee: "Looking at Abbas Afridi's dismissal, it always amazes me how the batsmen manage to find just that one fielder in the outfield "
Haris Rauf c Chapman b Southee 0 (2m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Abbas Afridi c Henry b Southee 1 (3m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
Chasing 227, only Babar Azam was able to push on with fifty which wasn't enough for a win
Pakistan's new T20 captain is fully focused on the World Cup less than six months away
New Zealand and Pakistan face off in a five-match series which features Williamson's return and Afridi's captaincy debut in internationals
He replaces Simon Helmot, who will leave the team because of personal commitments