In the opening T20 match, New Zealand secured a win over Pakistan by a margin of 46 runs on Friday. Shaheen Afridi, now leading Pakistan-XI as their new T20 captain, marked the beginning of a fresh era in Pakistan’s cricket captaincy.
Having won the toss, Pakistan chose to field, setting the stage for a new captain’s leadership. New Zealand set a target of 227 runs, and after 15 overs, Pakistan reached a total of 159 runs. The first T20 of the five-match series took place on Friday, with New Zealand hosting Pakistan.
In a defining moment, a batsman attempted a shot just inside the boundary, but Mark Chapman made an outstanding catch at backward point, securing New Zealand’s comprehensive victory over Pakistan. This win puts New Zealand ahead in the series.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken over the captaincy from former skipper Babar Azam, signifying a shift in leadership for Pakistan. On the other side, veteran New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who suffered an injury last year, is fit and leading the home side once again.
