New Zealand registered a convincing nine-wicket win over Pakistan in the first T20I on Sunday in Christchurch as the visitors received a thrashing after being dismissed for their lowest T20I total in New Zealand.
Kiwi fast bowlers Jacob Duffy (4 for 14) and Kyle Jamieson (3 for 8) delivered outstanding performances, collectively claiming seven wickets to dismantle Pakistan's batting order. 'Player of the Match' Jamieson's early spell proved decisive as he captured three crucial wickets, leaving Pakistan struggling at 11 for 4 within 4.4 overs.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!However, NZ skipper Michael Bracewell felt they could have bowled out Pakistan for lower than 91 had he asked Jamieson to bowl his fourth and last over on the trot.
"I had to hold Kyle back for the 4th over; he was ready and at the top of his mark...but it's always a challenge to rotate the bowlers around, especially in shorter formats like the T20s...maybe we could have restricted them to a lesser score," said Bracewell.
Openers Finn Allen (29 not out) and Tim Seifert (44) then added 53 runs in 5.5 overs before the latter was sent back by spinner Abrar Ahmed as the only wicket to fall in New Zealand's run-chase, which was completed off the first ball of the 11th over.
Speaking of his performance, Jamieson said: "It was nice to be back on home soil, in favourable conditions. Myself and Duffy, we'll take these conditions and it was nice to cash in...Needed to keep the seam upright, it made our job easy and was a clinical team performance."
Jamieson also praised fellow pacer Duffy's four-wicket effort.
"He did an outstanding job, at the top and the back-end as well," said the tall pacer.
Pakistan's previous lowest total in a T20I in New Zealand was 101 in Wellington during the 2016 tour.
The second T20I of the five-match series will be played in Dunedin on Tuesday.
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