A short and sweet match for the hosts with the conditions ensuring that they were always ahead of the opponents. The two teams will now go down south to Dunedin for the 2nd T20I , which is also a day match. Do join us for all the action. For now, cheers and bye..
Michael Bracewell | New Zealand Captain - Was a great day in front of a great crowd. We have played against them domestically (on the pacers), to have them in the same team, it was super difficult for them (Pakistan) and they couldn't recover. Had to hold Kyle back for the 4th over, he was ready and at the top of his mark, it was difficult to keep them off the attack, maybe we could have restricted them to a lesser score (had I bowled out them out earlier), but it's always a challenge to rotate the bowlers around, especially in shorter formats like the T20s.
Salman Agha | Pakistan Captain- It was difficult, we weren't up to the mark, but we need to regather (ahead of Dunedin). They bowled really well, in great areas, there was a bit of seam movement as well. We will sit down, have a chat and think about the next game. We had three debutants, the more games they play, they'll learn more. The new ball does a bit in New Zealand, we've good bowlers and we'll look to do well in the next match.
Kyle Jamieson | Player of the Match - It was nice to be back on home soil, favourable conditions, myself and Duff, we'll take these conditions and it was nice to cash in. I guess we plan for some carnage (in T20Is), for some balls to go out of the ground, nice to get these conditions, needed to keep the seam upright, it made our job easy and was a clinical team performance. We have got a good crop of players, great depth and players who can exploit the conditions, it was a nice team win. He did an outstanding job (on Jacob Duffy), at the top and the back-end as well, Zak (Foulkes) as well, was just a great all-around performance from the bowlers.
16:46 Local Time, 03:46 GMT, 09:16 IST: The victory was never in doubt after the start provided by the New Zealand bowlers. The only question was the margin and they've completed a facile win, with 9 wickets and 59 balls to spare. Pakistan would like to forget this match in a hurry, the batting floundered big time and the bowlers didn't stand a chance of defending 91. Tim Seifert started slowly, but he went with all guns blazing once settled, his 29-ball 44 being the highlight of the chase. Finn Allen helped himself to 29* and Tim Robinson remained unbeaten on 18 as the hosts cantered towards victory. A convincing performance from the hosts, a complete performance and they'll be confident going ahead to the next game in Dunedin.
Abrar Ahmed to Tim Robinson, 2 runs, New Zealand win, they go 1-0 up in the series, dropped short and just outside off, punched off the back-foot, past cover and the second run was always there
Abrar Ahmed [2.0-0-13-1] is back into the attack
They've taken drinks with New Zealand needing two more runs to win
Mohammad Ali to Finn Allen, FOUR, 14 off the over, short and angling into the right-hander, Allen swivels across, rolled his wrists and then pulls it backward of square on the on-side, beating the fielder in the deep
Mohammad Ali to Finn Allen, 2 runs, short of a good length and well wide of off, punched off the back-foot to deep cover and they're back for the second
Mohammad Ali to Tim Robinson, 1 run, on a length and angling into the pads, tucked to the right of mid-wicket for a single
Mohammad Ali to Tim Robinson, no run, on a good length and just outside off, Tim Robinson stays behind the line on the defensive push
Mohammad Ali to Finn Allen, leg byes, 1 run, fuller length delivery on the pads, Finn Allen was looking to flick and missed, off the pad and rolled behind square on the on-side for a leg bye
Mohammad Ali to Finn Allen, SIX, that's all too easy, short and angling down leg - Finn Allen swivels across and helps it on its way over long leg, used the pace to good effect and cleared the ropes with ease
Mohammad Ali [2.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack
Shadab Khan to Tim Robinson, no run, appeal for LBW, but this was sliding down leg, was the wrong 'un and Robinson was beaten as he went back on the flick
Shadab Khan to Finn Allen, 1 run, pushed through outside off - flat-batted to long-off for a single
Shadab Khan to Tim Robinson, 1 run, dragged short and wide of off, punched towards deep point for a single
Shadab Khan to Tim Robinson, SIX, lovely, that'll make him feel better - Robinson comes down the pitch, plays with the turn and then carves it high over wide long-off, the fielder in the deep was a mere spectator
Shadab Khan to Tim Robinson, no run, slower and just outside off, Robinson pushes it to the off-side