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The Black Caps made a strong statement in the opening match of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025, cruising to a nine-wicket win over the Men in Green at Hagley Oval. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the hosts put up a commanding bowling performance to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry score before comfortably chasing it down to seal a resounding victory.
Pakistan collapse under pressure
Pakistan’s innings never got going as their top order crumbled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz departed without scoring, setting the tone for a disastrous start. The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals, struggling to build any significant partnerships. Agha Salman (18 off 20) and Irfan Khan (1 off 6) failed to anchor the innings, while Shadab Khan (3 off 6) and Abdul Samad (7 off 12) also fell cheaply.
The only resistance came from Khushdil Shah, who top-scored with a 30-ball 32, hitting three sixes. Jahandad Khan (17 off 17) also chipped in with a six, but their efforts were not enough to rescue Pakistan from a batting collapse. The innings eventually folded in 18.4 overs with just 91 runs on the board, a total that was never going to trouble the home side.
Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy wreck Pakistan’s batting line-up
New Zealand’s bowlers put up a clinical performance, ensuring that Pakistan never found any momentum. Kyle Jamieson led the attack with figures of 3 for 8 in four overs, including the crucial wickets of key batters. Jacob Duffy was equally lethal, dismantling Pakistan’s lower order with figures of 4 for 14 in 3.4 overs. Zakary Foulkes chipped in with a wicket for just 11 runs in his three-over spell, while Ish Sodhi claimed two scalps despite conceding 27 runs. Michael Bracewell remained wicketless but kept the pressure on with his economical spell.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen make light work of the chase
Chasing 92 for victory, New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert made sure there were no hiccups. Allen was the aggressor early on, smashing 29 off 17 balls with two fours and two sixes. After his dismissal, Seifert took control, playing a fluent knock of 44 off 29 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. Debutant Tim Robinson remained unbeaten on 18 as New Zealand wrapped up the chase in just 10.1 overs, securing a comfortable nine-wicket victory. For his outstanding bowling spell that dismantled Pakistan’s top order, Jamieson was named Player of the Match.
Also READ: NZ vs PAK 2025: Pakistan’s best playing XI for the T20I series against New Zealand
Here is how fans reacted:
KFC T20I series underway with a win! Tim Seifert (44) and Finn Allen (29*) steer the chase home for a 9-wicket victory on the back of a clinical bowling effort. Catch up on the scores at https://t.co/3YsfR1YBHU or through the NZC app. 📲
📸 @PhotosportNZ | #CricketNation… pic.twitter.com/0UQ6rWsahk
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 16, 2025
New Zealand win the first match by nine wickets.
The second T20I will take place on Tuesday 🗓️#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/v4Mq81v6YS
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 16, 2025
Babar Azam and Maulana Rizwan right now 😂😂 #NZvPAK #NZvsPAK #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/YjMcqHfCr6
— Gafur Ghisela (@ChotaLittl25535) March 16, 2025
Returning Tim Seifert and Finn Allen lead New Zealand 9 wickets win over Pakistan.#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/4HSwhjCcc9
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬 🇳🇿 (@Kiwiscricketfan) March 16, 2025
This match summary will hurt Pakistan fans for a long time 😭😭😭#NZvPAK #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/viq8ptMTQp
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 16, 2025
Tere yaad aye tere Jane kai baad 😢#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/l741R1NKiU
— Hanan (@MalikSahaab_001) March 16, 2025
Different openers, same story. When will we finally find a reliable opening pair? 💔#PAKvNZ #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/iz7x93PYcJ
— Faiza Anum (@FaizaStories) March 16, 2025
Accept it or not without #BabarAzam𓃵 & #Rizwan this team can't win a single match even against Zimbabwe #NZvPAK #PakistanCricket #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/CLX5y1klXI
— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) March 16, 2025
🚨Player Of The Match – Kyle Jamieson
– 4 Overs, 8 runs conceded, 1 maiden and 3 wickets pic.twitter.com/HNn4G9KySa
— Syed Ahmed Raza (@ARazaRiz90) March 16, 2025
Meet yours player of the match
Kyle Jamieson 4-1-8-3
Bro is the main reason for Pakistan collapse for 11/4 in 4.4 overs🔥 pic.twitter.com/XX0u9mXYIe— Abi (@Abi_sirr) March 16, 2025
A nightmare powerplay for Pakistan! They crawl to just 14 runs in 6 overs, losing 4 wickets. Kyle Jamieson wreaks havoc with a stunning spell of 3-1-4-3. Pure dominance from New Zealand’s pacers! #PAKvNZ #KyleJamieson #PAKvsNZ#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/92kNGp6skl
— Usman Shaikh 🇮🇳 (@shaikhusman_7) March 16, 2025
A 9 wicket win with 59 balls remaining. New Zealand have just given Pakistan a pretty decisive hammering in Christchurch #NZvPAK
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) March 16, 2025