Pakistan experienced a crushing nine-wicket defeat in the opening T20 International against New Zealand in Christchurch, struggling to defend a paltry total of 91 runs.
The visitors kicked off the five-match series disastrously on Sunday, finding themselves at a perilous 11-4 by the close of the fifth over, as the formidable paceman Kyle Jamieson unleashed havoc with his relentless new-ball attack.
Ultimately bowled out for their lowest T20 score on New Zealand soil, the home team encountered minimal resistance, achieving 92-1 in just 10.1 overs.
Jamieson, who was later named man of the match, claimed three of the first four wickets to finish with 3-8 off four overs.
New ball partner Jacob Duffy returned later in the innings to sweep up the tail and, like Jamieson, claimed career-best T20 figures of 4-14 off 3.4 overs.
Pakistan never recovered from their top-order collapse after being sent in on a Hagley Oval pitch offering early life, with only three players reaching double figures.
The freshly appointed captain, Salman Agha, impressively tallied 18 runs and orchestrated a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket with the team’s leading scorer, Khushdil Shah. Shah dazzled the touring team by hammering three powerful sixes during his energetic 32 runs off 30 balls.
Jahandad Khan contributed an efficient 17 runs at a run-a-ball pace before the innings concluded with eight deliveries remaining.
Previously, Pakistan’s lowest T20 total in New Zealand was a dismal 101 all out, which resulted in a 95-run defeat in Wellington back in 2016.
Opener Tim Seifert got New Zealand off to a flying start, with 44 off 29 balls, striking seven fours and one six.
Finn Allen on 29 and Tim Robinson on 18 completed the chase off the first ball of the 11th over.
The second match is in Dunedin on Tuesday.