No Babar, No Rizwan, No Hope? NZ vs PAK 1st T20I Highlights: Pakistan’s Bold Move Flops Against New Zealand

Balakrishna
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Balakrishna
Senior Cricket Analyst & Writer
Balakrishna is a renowned cricket analyst and journalist at Buzz24Times, bringing over six years of expertise in cricket journalism. With a deep passion for the game,...
- Senior Cricket Analyst & Writer
7 Min Read

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.

Jacob Duffy NZ T20I performance

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.

Key Stats from NZ vs PAK 1st T20I

Event/PlayerDetails
Match DateMarch 16, 2025
VenueHagley Oval, Christchurch
Pakistan Total91 all out (18.2 overs)
New Zealand Total92/1 (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 ScorerSaim Ayub (27)
Match ResultNZ won by 9 wickets
Official SourceESPNcricinfo

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.

babar azam

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

PlayerRolePerformanceImpact
Jacob DuffyBowler4/16 in 4 oversBroke Pakistan’s top order
Finn AllenBatsman41 off 23 ballsSealed the chase quickly
Nathan SmithBowler2/17 in 4 oversKept pressure on middle order
Michael BracewellCaptain/Bowler1/14 in 3 oversControlled the game
Tim RobinsonBatsman29* off 25 ballsSteady 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?

Why did Pakistan drop Babar and Rizwan for the 1st T20I?

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.

Who were the top performers in NZ vs PAK 1st T20I?

Jacob Duffy took 4 wickets for New Zealand. Finn Allen scored 41 runs to lead the chase. Saim Ayub made 27 for Pakistan.

What was the final score of the NZ vs PAK 1st T20I?

Pakistan scored 91 all out. New Zealand finished at 92 for 1, winning by 9 wickets in 10.2 overs.

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Balakrishna is a renowned cricket analyst and journalist at Buzz24Times, bringing over six years of expertise in cricket journalism. With a deep passion for the game, he provides insightful analysis, compelling narratives, and the latest updates that captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His journey began with a love for the sport, evolving into a commitment to delivering accurate, engaging, and thought-provoking content. His work has amassed over 28 million reads, resonating with fans from casual followers to die-hard cricket aficionados.
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