New Zealand Beat Pakistan by 7 Wickets in 1st T20I in Wellington

(Image: ICC/Twitter)

Commentary (New Zealand innings)

That is it from this game then! Expected more of a contest frankly, given that Pakistan are excellent in this format. Let us hope for some competition come the second T20I at Eden Park in Auckland at 1900 local (0600 GMT) on Thursday, 25th January, 2018. Until then, ADIOS! Take Care!

Victorious Kiwi captain, Tim Southee is pretty calm. Says that the plan was to win the toss, bowl well and pick up wickets. That exactly happened but feels that his team bowled really well. Is proud of the way his bowlers blunted the attack from the Pakistan openers. Praises Seth Rance for showing consistency in his performance which is a reward for his domestic heroics. Praises Munro as well for staying till the end and taking the team home. Is excited about the youngsters breeding in the side.

Pakistan skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed is downcast. Admits that losing wickets early hampered them and they could never recover. Feels that not able to keep wickets in hand and inability to play the new ball created the havoc. Hopes to play well in the second match. Praises the new-ball bowlers of his own side and feels 140-150 could have been defended.

Man Of The Match, Colin Munro, says that it was very pleasing for him and the team to get over the line. Admits that it was a tricky wicket, so took some time to settle. It was about trying to bat as deep as possible for him. Wouldn't call that a shocker of a wicket, he says, but yes, it was pretty up and down. Is happy that the Kiwis managed to restrict Pakistan to 105. On his own batting consistency, he says that he has evolved in the last 12 months. Initially, he was only playing well in the shorter format but he has been training hard and the improvement can be seen. On his hand, which was bruised thanks to a hit from a throw, Munro plays it down, saying that it is alright, just needs to be kept under ice for some time.

After being bowled out for 105, not many teams come out firing with the ball but Pakistan showed some gumption for a fight, at least in the Powerplay. They had the Kiwis 8/2 by the 4th over but could not quite build on that. Rumman Raees and Shadab Khan bowled superbly while the rest were ineffective. 6th loss in a row in international cricket for Pakistan in New Zealand. Stay tuned for the presentation...

Pretty unfortunate then, given the way the match ended. Colin Munro looked in great shape to get to his half century but a hat-trick of boundaries from Ross Taylor changed the scenario. Otherwise, a good game for the Kiwis, with Munro dominating proceedings but they would have wished the likes of Glenn Phillips and Tom Bruce to take centrestage.

15.6 H Ali to R Taylor, WIDE! Munro does not get a fifty but New Zealand win! Anti-climax. Like what happened in Whangarei during the NZ-WIN ODI series, where Rovman Powell bowled a delivery down the leg side to Taylor, this time Hasan bangs it in short and high over the batsman's head. That time, Taylor was on 49, this time, he wanted to eke out a dot ball but Pakistan had other ideas. 1-0 up then, go New Zealand. 106/3

15.5 H Ali to R Taylor, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Will Munro get to his fifty? Full and outside off, Taylor leans into this one and drives it through the covers for a boundary again! The scores are level! 105/3

15.4 H Ali to R Taylor, FOUR! The result is the same! This is shorter in length and Taylor pounces onto it, pulling it wide of deep mid-wicket for consecutive boundaries! 101/3

15.3 H Ali to R Taylor, FOUR! CLUNK! Full and outside off, Taylor comes forward a touch and whacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary! The target is into single digits now. 97/3

15.2 H Ali to R Taylor, Outside off again, placed straight to cover. 93/3

15.1 H Ali to C Munro, Outside off, crunched through the covers for a single. 93/3

Hasan Ali is back on.

14.6 S Khan to C Munro, DROPPED! But a good effort from Umar Amin. A flighted ball outside off, CM gets down and mows it over mid-wicket. Looks like he has got enough but Amin leaps correctly at the fence. However, he is unable to hold onto it. Just a single. End of a terrific spell from Shadab - 4-0-18-1. 15 dots and just a four and a six. 92/3

14.5 S Khan to C Munro, Another wrong 'un, Colin backs away and looks to cut but misses. Extra bounce as well. 91/3

14.4 S Khan to R Taylor, The leg spinner now, pushed towards point for a single. 91/3

14.3 S Khan to C Munro, It was there... a tossed up ball, on leg stump, Munro tried to slog but missed. The ball deflected off his pads to short third man. It was a googly. A leg bye taken. 90/3

14.2 S Khan to C Munro, Comes down the track a touch and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. 89/3

14.1 S Khan to C Munro, A short ball on middle, tucked straight to square leg. 89/3

Shadab Khan to bowl out. Will Munro respect his bowling figures?

13.6 R Raees to R Taylor, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. 89/3

13.5 R Raees to C Munro, Down the drain goes the expectation. A quiet single towards mid-wicket. The crowd wants boundaries. 89/3

13.4 R Raees to R Taylor, Anticipation from the crowd as Taylor plays the supporting role perfectly, by rotating the strike. Flicked through mid-wicket. 88/3

13.3 R Raees to C Munro, Outside off, crunched through the covers for a single to get the target under 20. 87/3

13.2 R Raees to C Munro, Full and outside off, right in the slot, Colin blasts it but straight to mid off. 86/3

13.1 R Raees to C Munro, SIX! Watch out in the crowd because Munro is in the mood now! A nothing ball, short and around the waist, Munro just pulls it over mid-wicket for half a dozen! 86/3

Rumman Raees is back on.

12.6 M Nawaz to C Munro, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. 14 from the over! 80/3

12.5 M Nawaz to C Munro, SIX! CLUBBED! Well, he is teeing off now. Full and around middle, Munro gets down again and slogs it over mid-wicket for a biggie! 27 more needed from 47 balls! 79/3

12.4 M Nawaz to C Munro, FOUR! The entertainment resumes after a bit of a pause. Floated outside off, Munro gets down and lofts it over covers for a boundary. 73/3

12.3 M Nawaz to R Taylor, Comes down the track, Nawaz fires it in again, on middle, Taylor squirts it off the inside edge through square leg for one. 69/3

12.2 M Nawaz to C Munro, Backs away to the leg side, Nawaz fires it on the stumps, cut wide of long off for a run. 68/3

12.1 M Nawaz to R Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed down to long on for a single. 39 more needed from 47 balls. 67/3

Mohammad Nawaz is spotted in the line-up as well and will bowl. Number 6.

11.6 F Ashraf to R Taylor, Flicks this one away, this time only for a single. 66/3

11.5 F Ashraf to R Taylor, Great running again. Rosco tucks this behind square leg, not too far from the fielder in the deep but still has time to hare back for the second. 65/3

11.4 F Ashraf to C Munro, Comes down the track and looks to go big but mistimes it down the ground to mid on. Just one. 63/3

11.3 F Ashraf to R Taylor, Excellent batting. All the Pakistan fielders on the off side are inside the ring, yet that single is completed with ease. Just a tap to the off side towards point, a look at Munro and then off. The batsmen are in even before the throw is released. 62/3

11.2 F Ashraf to R Taylor, OVERTHROW now. Pakistan do not need this. Especially when they are defending a meagre total. Outside off, Taylor taps it to the leg side and calls for a quick single. Haris Sohail comes charging in, picks the ball up and has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. What is worse, the throw is well wide of the person backing up and goes all the way to third man, allowing the batsmen to come back for the second. 61/3

Big gap on the leg side. Square leg is at the boundary and then not a soul from mid-wicket to long on.

11.1 F Ashraf to C Munro, On a length outside off, punched through the covers for a single. 59/3

Faheem Ashraf is the fifth bowler to bowl in this innings.

10.6 S Khan to C Munro, It won't be a wicket maiden but a terrific over from Shadab. On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 58/3

10.5 S Khan to C Munro, That skids off the surface, bowled at 88 kph, Colin misses his tuck and the ball lobs off the pads to short third man. Taylor wants the single but is sent back. 57/3

10.4 S Khan to C Munro, Goes back in his crease and punches it back to the bowler. 57/3

10.3 S Khan to C Munro, Comes down the track but is not quite to the pitch of the ball and blocks. 57/3

10.2 S Khan to C Munro, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. 57/3

Ross Taylor walks in at number 5, replacing Bruce.

10.1 S Khan to Tom Bruce, OUT! There goes the third wicket. But perhaps a bit too late for Pakistan. Shadab floats it outside off and Bruce stretches to play the slog sweep. Ends up dragging it and hence gets more height than distance. 'Dropped...' whispers my colleague Wayne but to no avail. Fakhar Zaman makes no mistake at the mid-wicket fence. So Bruce disappoints but the Kiwis are well in control. Just 49 more needed from 59 balls. 57/3

9.6 H Ali to Tom Bruce, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for another single. 12 from this over, 23 off the last 2. 57/2

9.5 H Ali to C Munro, A short ball again, heaved to deep mid-wicket for one more. 56/2

9.4 H Ali to Tom Bruce, Short and around off, Bruce backs away and cuts it behind point for a run. 55/2

9.3 H Ali to C Munro, Down the leg side, worked through square leg for a single. 54/2

9.2 H Ali to C Munro, FOUR! New Zealand are in a hurry now. 18 from the last 4 balls. Comes down the track, does Munro, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over mid off for consecutive boundaries! 53/2

9.1 H Ali to C Munro, FOUR! CLOBBERED! What a shot. On a length, around leg, Munro does not care what pace Hasan Ali bowls at. Sits down on a knee and sweeps it yes, sweeps it over square leg for a boundary! 57 more needed from 65 balls. 49/2

8.6 S Khan to Tom Bruce, Around off and outside, defended back to the bowler. 11 from the over. 45/2

8.5 S Khan to Tom Bruce, FOUR! They are not letting Shadab settle. Around off, swept through square leg for a boundary! 45/2

8.4 S Khan to Tom Bruce, SIX! BRUTAL! Full and outside off, Bruce gets down and slog sweeps this well over mid-wicket! 65 more needed from 68 balls! 41/2

8.3 S Khan to C Munro, Should that have been taken? Full on leg stump, CM sweeps it uppishly towards square leg in the deep. There is Umar Amin stationed but he does not move till the ball comes to him. At the last moment he comes forward and the ball dips in front of him. The on-air commentators feel that had Amin taken a couple of steps in advance, he could have taken that catch. A single taken. 35/2

8.2 S Khan to C Munro, Full and outside leg, Colin looks to sweep but gets a top edge onto his chest. Bruce wants a single but Munro is not interested. 34/2

8.1 S Khan to C Munro, Short on the stumps, Munro backs away and cuts it straight to cover. 34/2

7.6 H Ali to Tom Bruce, Follows the batsman again, Tom looks to pull but misses once more and is hit on the unmentionables. 34/2

7.5 H Ali to Tom Bruce, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. 34/2

7.4 H Ali to Tom Bruce, A short ball again, Bruce looks to hook but misses. 34/2

7.3 H Ali to Tom Bruce, The batsman has slammed it through the point region for a couple. 34/2

7.2 H Ali to Tom Bruce, Backs away to the leg side, Hasan follows him, bowls it short, Bruce looks to pull but misses and is hit on the box. Ouch. 32/2

7.1 H Ali to Tom Bruce, Around off, coming in, watchfully defended. 32/2

Hasan Ali is the new bowler. He should enjoy these conditions, one feels.

6.6 S Khan to C Munro, NOT OUT. Going over the stumps. The review is gone. Pitched in line of the stumps, Munro gets down and looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the body. Pakistan appeal and Shadab is confident that he has his man. Sarfraz goes for the review, not too convincingly but on the insistence of his bowler. Is not too happy with the Hawk Eye's verdict, perhaps he too felt it was too high. 32/2

Is that LBW? Looks pretty close but Pakistan do not have too much of a choice. They take the review.

6.5 S Khan to C Munro, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. 32/2

6.4 S Khan to Tom Bruce, A full toss on middle, Bruce gets across and paddles it over the keeper through fine leg. Just one. 32/2

6.3 S Khan to C Munro, Outside off, punched off the back foot for a run. 31/2

6.2 S Khan to C Munro, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 30/2

6.1 S Khan to C Munro, Full on middle, swept through square leg for a couple. Some good fielding in the deep. 30/2

Time for spin. Shadab Khan into the attack. Important period for Pakistan. They need to wrest some control.

5.6 R Raees to Tom Bruce, Around off, watchfully defended. Pakistan were 24/4 at this stage. Run difference is not that great but the wicket difference is a big one. 28/2

The physio is out in the middle. Munro does not look in too much trouble or pain, or else, he is not showing it. In fact, the physio is going off the field and now Munro is looking at the heavens with a bit of a sigh. That may not be a good sign. He might be feeling the pain now then.

5.5 R Raees to C Munro, OUCH! That has hurt. Another freakish accident. Already a player has been injured in this tour due to an accident on the field and now this. Outside off, Munro punches this towards mid off and sets off for a single. Faheem Ashraf gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses and hits Munro's thumb on the right hand instead. 28/2

5.4 R Raees to C Munro, Outside off, punched off the back foot. 27/2

5.3 R Raees to Tom Bruce, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. 79 more needed from 87 balls now. 27/2

5.2 R Raees to Tom Bruce, FOUR! Superb timing. A full toss on middle, Bruce just flicks it through square leg. There is a fielder in the deep, at mid-wicket and he starts to run but the ball travels at lightning speed. Poor guy, he has to dive but has no chance. Sarfraz Ahmed gives him a piercing look but mate, that bloke had no chance! Might as well stare at the bowler for dishing out a full toss. 26/2

5.2 R Raees to Tom Bruce, WIDE. A bit too short, on middle, Tom lets it go and it is way over his head. 22/2

5.1 R Raees to Tom Bruce, Excellent bowling. Spots Bruce walking across his stumps and slips in a slower ball, on off, defended back to the bowler. 21/2

4.6 M Amir to C Munro, Another short ball, this is comfortably pulled, all along the ground through mid-wicket for two more. 21/2

4.5 M Amir to C Munro, A short ball on middle, pulled uppishly, just about clearing mid on. Two runs taken. 19/2

4.4 M Amir to C Munro, Terrific ball. Swinging in late from outside off, nice pace, 145.6 kph, Munro plays it equally well and drives it towards mid off. 'SHABAASH, AMIR!' 17/2

4.3 M Amir to Tom Bruce, Outside off, tapped to the off side for a quick single. 89 more needed from 93 balls. 17/2

4.3 M Amir to Tom Bruce, WIDE. Gets across his stumps and Amir bowls it down the leg side. Tom looks to pull but misses. Harsh call for a wide, given that the batsman had shuffled across and the ball was not far from the line of leg stump. 16/2

4.2 M Amir to Tom Bruce, Outside off, Bruce looks to cut but misses. 15/2

4.1 M Amir to C Munro, On a length outside off, Munro calmly works it wide of long on for a single. 15/2

3.6 R Raees to Tom Bruce, FOUR! First boundary of the run chase! A length ball outside off, a touch wide, Bruce leans and lofts it over cover for a boundary! 14/2

3.5 R Raees to C Munro, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. 10/2

3.4 R Raees to Tom Bruce, Gets off the mark with a tuck to the leg side. A single. 9/2

3.3 R Raees to Tom Bruce, On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket. Suddenly one can hear the Pakistan fielders chirping and clapping. 8/2

Tom Bruce walks in at number 4, replacing Phillips. This is where inexperience could cost the Kiwis a bit. Though they still have Taylor and de Grandhomme and the target is not the largest.

3.2 R Raees to G Phillips, OUT! Chopped on! Are we in for a contest? A length ball outside off, Glenn looks to hop and run it down to third man but there is no room and he only drags it back onto his stumps! Pakistan were 4/2, the Kiwis are 8/2! 8/2

It is interesting to see Glenn Phillip's batting stance. Crouches really low while facing the bowler. Reminds me of one such Robin Smith from England in the 90s. Invitation for a back injury.

3.1 R Raees to G Phillips, Outside off, Phillips feels for it but misses. 8/1

2.6 M Amir to G Phillips, Another short ball, another pull, another run. 8/1

2.5 M Amir to G Phillips, Stays back in his crease and blocks. 7/1

2.4 M Amir to G Phillips, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 7/1

2.3 M Amir to C Munro, A short ball, pulled down to long leg for a run. 7/1

2.2 M Amir to G Phillips, A short ball on middle, pulled away for a single. 6/1

2.1 M Amir to G Phillips, Outside off, Phillips slashes hard but misses. 5/1

1.6 R Raees to G Phillips, Outside off, gets this down to third man for a run and is off the mark. 5/1

1.5 R Raees to G Phillips, On middle and leg, defended from the crease. 4/1

1.4 R Raees to G Phillips, Wide outside off, Glenn chases after it but misses. 4/1

1.3 R Raees to G Phillips, Outside off, punched off the back foot. 4/1

1.2 R Raees to C Munro, On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a single. 4/1

Glenn Phillips comes in at number 3.

1.1 R Raees to M Guptill, OUT! The hero of the one-dayers is gone for single figures! Terrific start from Raees and that will lift the entire Pakistan unit. A short ball around off, angling away, Guptill goes for the pull but the bounce does him in. Gets a top edge which carries nowhere. Mohammad Nawaz comes running in from mid-wicket and takes a sitter. 3/1

Rumman Raees to bowl from the other end.

0.6 M Amir to M Guptill, Ohh!!! Pakistan would have hoped that would go straight to the fielder at mid on. Amir bangs this short and Guptill looks to slap this over mid on. He does not time it well and the ball goes ahead of the fielder at mid on. They pick up a run. 3/0

0.5 M Amir to M Guptill, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 2/0

0.4 M Amir to M Guptill, Swing and a miss from Guptill. Length ball, swinging away from Guptill who goes for the big heave but misses the ball completely. 2/0

0.3 M Amir to C Munro, Munro gets off the mark. Pitched up from Amir in line of the stumps, Munro flicks it away behind square for a run. 2/0

0.2 M Amir to M Guptill, Drags his length back a bit, Guptill jumps on his toes and plays it on the leg side to pick up his and the team's first run. 1/0

0.1 M Amir to M Guptill, Starts off with a length ball which moves away from Guptill. Amir charges in and pitches this around off, Guptill need not play at those as he leaves it alone. 0/0