Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 2025 has begun on a disappointing note for the Men in Green, with the visitors suffering defeats in the first two T20Is of a five-match series. The series opener on March 16 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, saw Pakistan crumble to a paltry 91 all out—their lowest T20I total on New Zealand soil.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
New Zealand’s pace duo, Kyle Jamieson (3-8) and Jacob Duffy (4-14), exploited the bounce to dismantle Pakistan’s batting, reducing them to 11-4 early on. Khushdil Shah’s 32 offered brief resistance, but the Black Caps chased the target in just 10.1 overs, winning by nine wickets, with Tim Seifert (44) and Finn Allen (29*) steering the reply.
The second T20I on March 18 in Dunedin, shortened to 15 overs per side due to rain, brought no respite for Pakistan. Batting first after losing the toss, they posted 135-9, bolstered by captain Salman Agha’s 46 and late cameos from Shadab Khan (26) and Shaheen Afridi (22). However, New Zealand’s openers, Seifert (45 off 22) and Allen (38 off 16), unleashed a barrage of seven sixes in the powerplay, racing to 66 in 4.3 overs. Despite losing wickets, the hosts completed the chase in 13.1 overs, securing a five-wicket victory and a 2-0 series lead.
Pakistan’s struggles stem from poor powerplay performances and an inability to adapt to New Zealand’s conditions. With Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped, the new-look batting lineup has faltered, leaving the team desperate to regroup ahead of the third T20I on March 20.
