Pakistan have managed to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series against New Zealand as the men in green defeated the Kiwis in the first T20 match at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday by 15 runs.
Pakistan, who lost the toss, were asked to bat by the New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, and the men in green started pretty well with Mohammmad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad playing some quality strokes in the first few overs.
However, most of the Pakistani batsmen got a decent start to their innings, but failed to come up with a meaningful score as most of them fell between 16-24 runs. Hafeez was the only batsman, who scored 50 plus runs as he came up with a 47-ball 61, which helped the men in green set a target of 172 runs.
With New Zealand possessing some major batting stars in their line up, they were expected to shine and help the home side take 1-0 lead. New Zealand lost their key opener Martin Guptill in the second over of their innings, which was an encouraging sign for Pakistan.
But, Colin Munro, who walked into bat at No. 3, thrashed Pakistani bowlers, scoring a 27-ball 56, which was studded with six sixes and two fours.
With Williamson and Munro going great guns, the Black Caps were set for a 1-0 lead in the series, but their batsmen fell like a pack of cards after the left-hander's dismissal. The score read 89 for the loss of two wickets when Munro left for the dugout and the score read an incredible 108 for 6 in no time, which made matters difficult for the Kiwis.
Williamson, who was the only settled batsmen then, despite his efforts, could not help the home team emerge triumphant as they lost the match, which at one point of time had New Zealand's victory written all over it. Williamson's splendid 60-ball 70 went in vain.
However, the Black Caps will be keen to win the second T20 on Sunday and draw the series level.
