ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan cricket team not only faced a humiliating nine-wicket defeat at the hands of hosts New Zealand in the first T20I at the Hagley Oval on Sunday but also set some unwanted records.
The defeat in the first Pak-NZ game marked Pakistan’s worst in the format in terms of balls remaining. Their previous worst was a nine-wicket defeat against Australia in 2018 when the Pakistan cricket team was faced a nine-wicket defeat with 55 balls to spare.
But this time, New Zealand chased down the target over the loss of just one wicket and 59 balls to spare.
After being put to bat first, the touring side’s opening pair Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz fell for a duck each.
Irfan Khan managed to score just one run before his departure from the crease, leaving Pakistan struggling at 1/3 in 2.2 overs in the first Pak-NZ T20I game.
Allrounder Khushdil Shah managed to score 32 runs followed by captain Salman Agha’s 18 runs addition to the total. Pakistan were bundled out for 91 in 18.4 overs – their fifth-lowest score in the T20 Internationals.
New Zealand effortlessly chased the target by losing just one wicket and 59 balls to spare.
The defeat in the game also marked Pakistan’s worst in the format in terms of balls remaining.
Pakistan’s biggest T20I defeats while batting first
Margin Balls remaining Opposition Venue Year
9 wickets 59 New Zealand Christchurch 2025
9 wickets 55 Australia Harare 2017
7 wickets 52 Australia Hobart 2024
The 91-run total in the game also became Pakistan’s lowest-ever total against New Zealand in T20Is, surpassing their previous record of 101 runs set in Wellington in 2016. The two sides are set to depart for Dunedin to play the second T20I on Tuesday.
