NZ vs PAK 1st T20I Highlights: Pakistan faced New Zealand in the first T20I of their 2025 series on March 16 in Christchurch. The match ended in a crushing 9-wicket defeat for Pakistan. They scored just 91 runs before New Zealand chased it down in 10.2 overs. Pakistan left out stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, testing a new squad. The experiment failed. This article Will Give You Complete Information Of the NZ vs PAK 1st T20I highlights, key moments, and what went wrong for Pakistan.

What Happened in Christchurch?
New Zealand dominated Pakistan from the start. Pakistan batted first and collapsed to 91 all out in 18.2 overs. Jacob Duffy took 4 wickets for 16 runs, ripping through their top order. Saim Ayub scored 27 off 21, the only notable effort. New Zealand’s Finn Allen then smashed 41 off 23 balls, finishing the chase with ease. Pakistan’s new captain, Salman Ali Agha, couldn’t stop the slide. The game exposed Pakistan’s lack of depth without their big names.
This team, without Rizwan, Babar, Shaheen & Naseem is an absolute disaster, but I’m happy that they will be badly exposed in this series against New Zealand. I’ve been saying for quite some time now that our domestic cricket sucks. These are our best players respect them
— Akif Khattak (@iamAkifKhan) March 16, 2025
Key Stats from NZ vs PAK 1st T20I
Event/Player | Details |
Match Date | March 16, 2025 |
Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
Pakistan Total | 91 all out (18.2 overs) |
New Zealand Total | 92/1 (10.2 overs) |
Jacob Duffy (NZ) | 4 wickets for 16 runs |
Finn Allen (NZ) | 41 runs off 23 balls |
Saim Ayub (PAK) | 27 runs off 21 balls |
Nathan Smith (NZ) | 2 wickets for 17 runs |
Pakistan Top Scorer | Saim Ayub (27) |
Match Result | NZ won by 9 wickets |
Official Source | ESPNcricinfo |
Why Pakistan Dropped Babar and Rizwan
Pakistan made a big call before the series. They dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of their best T20I players. Babar averages 42.16 with 2,024 runs since 2020. Rizwan averages 50.13 with 2,306 runs in the same period. The team wanted a fresh start after a poor Champions Trophy. New players like Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad got a chance. The idea was to build a faster, younger squad. Against New Zealand, that plan backfired. The new batsmen struggled, scoring 19 and 10 runs. Pakistan needs answers fast with four games left.

Pakistan’s Batting Collapse Explained
Pakistan’s 91 runs tell a story of panic. Duffy’s swing bowling got rid of the openers early. Hasan Nawaz faced 18 balls for 19 runs before falling. Abdul Samad lasted 12 balls for 10. Omair Bin Yousuf made 3 off 8. No one could handle the pressure. New Zealand’s attack kept it simple—hit the right spots and let Pakistan make mistakes. Fans on X called it a “disaster.” The NZ vs PAK 1st T20I highlights show a team lost without its anchors.
New Zealand’s Standout Stars
Player | Role | Performance | Impact |
Jacob Duffy | Bowler | 4/16 in 4 overs | Broke Pakistan’s top order |
Finn Allen | Batsman | 41 off 23 balls | Sealed the chase quickly |
Nathan Smith | Bowler | 2/17 in 4 overs | Kept pressure on middle order |
Michael Bracewell | Captain/Bowler | 1/14 in 3 overs | Controlled the game |
Tim Robinson | Batsman | 29* off 25 balls | Steady support for Allen |
How New Zealand Took Control
New Zealand didn’t need their full strength to win. Stars like Kane Williamson sat out, yet they still crushed Pakistan. Duffy’s spell set the tone. Allen’s power hitting finished it. Bracewell, the captain, stayed calm and used his bowlers well. The team showed depth and confidence. Pakistan’s new lineup had no reply. The NZ vs PAK 1st T20I highlights prove New Zealand thrives at home.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
Pakistan has four matches to fix this. Salman Ali Agha faces pressure after a tough debut. Shadab Khan, the vice-captain, scored 0 but can still contribute with the ball. The team might rethink their strategy. Bringing back Babar and Rizwan could stabilize things. Or they could stick with the young guns and hope they learn fast. New Zealand will push harder in the next game. Pakistan needs a plan to avoid another embarrassment.
Conclusion
The NZ vs PAK 1st T20I highlights reveal a one-sided thrashing. Pakistan’s choice to drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan left them exposed. New Zealand capitalized with sharp bowling and quick batting. Jacob Duffy and Finn Allen stood out. Pakistan’s 91 all out raises big questions about their future. They aimed for a bold reset but got a reality check instead. The series is young—can they bounce back?
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FAQ Related To NZ vs PAK 1st T20I Highlights
Pakistan wanted a younger, faster team after a weak Champions Trophy. They replaced Babar and Rizwan with new players like Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad.
Jacob Duffy took 4 wickets for New Zealand. Finn Allen scored 41 runs to lead the chase. Saim Ayub made 27 for Pakistan.
Pakistan scored 91 all out. New Zealand finished at 92 for 1, winning by 9 wickets in 10.2 overs.