PAK vs NZ, 1st T20: Pakistan wins a stunning thriller by 2 runs

New Zealand needed a six off the last ball to tie the match but managed a boundary to finish at 146-6 in 20 overs.

Continuing their winning streak at home in the shortest format of the game, Pakistan registered a stunning victory against New Zealand in the T20I series opener on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Sarfraz Ahmed & Co. defeated the Kiwis by 2 runs to lead the 3-match series 1-0.

Sarfraz won the toss and put his boys to bat first who failed to get a good start. World No 1 T20I batsman, Babar Azam (7) got out cheaply in the third over while his batting partner Sahibzada Farhan could only score 1 run in 8 balls before returning to the pavilion in the very next over.

After a dismal start, Asif Ali and Mohammad Hafeez added another 67 runs to the scoreboard. Captain Sarfraz played a supportive knock of 34 runs and the efforts from Faheem Ashraf (10) and Imad Wasim (14) towards the end helped Pakistan putting a fighting total of 148 runs on the board at a loss of 6 wickets.

In reply, New Zealand had a dream start. The opening duo of Glenn Phillips and Colin Munro brutally punished the Pakistani pacers to add 50 runs in the power play. However, the entire scenario changed thereafter.

Hasan Ali drew the first blood by bowling out Phillips right after the end of the powerplay and thus, initiated the Kiwi downfall. The spinners left no stone unturned in ripping apart the top order. Munro, who went to score the 8^th fifty of his career, was removed by Shahdab Khan on 58 in the 12^th over.

Skipper Kane Williamson yet again struggled against the turns and lost his wicket to Imad Wasim in the very next over.

The visitors relied upon a few young guns but ultimately, they were left disappointed. Collin de Grandhomme (6), Corey Anderson (9) and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert (0) failed to perform in the middle which badly affected the run-scoring frequency of New Zealand.

Hasan Ali remained the most successful bowler for Pakistan. He scalped 3 wickets and leaked 35 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

Ross Taylor (42*) was accompanied with Tim Southee (5) when the Kiwis needed a six off the last ball to tie the match but managed a boundary to finish at 146-6 in 20 overs.