Get the latest updates on Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 2025. Match highlights, player performances, and key takeaways. Can Pakistan bounce back?
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 Series:
One of the most eagerly awaited cricket events of 2025 has been the Pakistan versus New Zealand Twenty20 series. Both sides had formidable rosters and great hopes going into the series. Cricket fans around the world were anxious to see if New Zealand’s well-rounded squad would defeat Pakistan or if their aggressive bowling assault would be enough to dominate. In the opening Twenty20 match of the series, New Zealand easily trounced Pakistan by nine wickets in Christchurch.
New Zealand Crushes Pakistan:
On March 16, 2025, the first game of the PAK vs. NZ series was played in Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. After winning the toss, Babar Azam’s Pakistan chose to bat first. Their batting order, however, found it difficult to contend with New Zealand’s well-organized bowling attack.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse:
After losing their first four wickets in five overs, Pakistan got off to a terrible start. On 11/4, Pakistan was in serious difficulty after Mohammad Rizwan (5), Saim Ayub (2), and Fakhar Zaman (0) were dismissed early.
Jacob Duffy, New Zealand’s principal destroyer, tore through Pakistan’s top order with his blazing spell. With his final 4 wickets for 14 runs, he practically prevented Pakistan from gaining any traction. Khushdil Shah was the only one to put up a fight, scoring 32 runs off 29 balls. He did not receive much help from the lower order, though, as Pakistan was dismissed for 91 runs in 17.1 overs.
Pakistan’s Batting Scorecard:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Saim Ayub | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Babar Azam (C) | 10 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Khushdil Shah | 32 | 29 | 3 | 1 |
| Shadab Khan | 7 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 9 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Hasan Ali | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Naseem Shah | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Haris Rauf | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 91 | 17.1 overs |
Comfortable Chase in New Zealand:
New Zealand got off to a strong start, needing only 92 runs to pursue. Tim Seifert (44 off 34) and Finn Allen (29 off 18) ensured the squad had no problems. Although Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, attempted to apply pressure, the total was too low to defend. With nine wickets remaining, New Zealand managed to knock down the score in just 10.2 overs.
Batting Scorecard for New Zealand:
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Finn Allen | 29 | 18 | 4 | 1 |
| Devon Conway | 10 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Tim Seifert | 44* | 34 | 6 | 2 |
| Glenn Phillips | 5* | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 92/1 | 10.2 overs |
Important Lessons Learned from the Match:
1. Pakistan’s Top-Order Challenges Persist:
For a while now, Pakistan’s batting problems have been a big worry. They were once again unable to get off to a good start in this game. Pakistan needs to deal with this problem right away because the T20 World Cup is approaching.
2. Bowlers from New Zealand were excellent:
Pakistan’s batting shortcomings were shown by New Zealand’s quick bowlers, particularly Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson. Duffy’s four-wicket haul was the game-changing moment.
3. Pakistan’s bowling was ineffective:
It’s never easy to defend a low total, but Pakistan’s bowlers were unable to generate pressure. The others found it difficult to disturb the New Zealand batsmen, except for Shaheen Afridi, who bowled with some aggression.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With New Zealand leading 1-0 in the 5-match series, Pakistan must make a strong comeback in the second T20. Here’s what they need to do:
- Batting Stability: The top order must take responsibility and play sensible cricket. Players like Babar Azam and Rizwan need to anchor the innings.
- Bowling Aggression: Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, must take early wickets to put pressure on New Zealand.
- Better Team Selection: Pakistan might consider bringing in an extra batsman or an all-rounder to balance the team.
Fans’ Reactions on Social Media:
The cricket community took to Twitter (X) and YouTube to react to Pakistan’s poor performance. Some fans criticized the team’s approach, while others hoped for a comeback.
Twitter Reactions:
- @CricketFan123: “Pakistan’s batting was a disaster. Need major changes before the T20 World Cup.”
- @NZCricketLover: “Jacob Duffy What a performance.”
- @GreenArmyPak: “We still have 4 matches left. Keep supporting Pakistan 🇵🇰.
PAK vs NZ T20 Series: Crucial Moment for Pakistan
The first T20 match of the Pakistan vs New Zealand series was a tough test for Pakistan. Their batting lineup struggled with poor shot selection, and their bowlers failed to control the game. These weaknesses allowed New Zealand to dominate, exposing areas Pakistan must quickly improve. If they want to stay in the series, they need to learn from their mistakes and make a strong comeback in the next match. Improving consistency in batting, tightening their bowling execution, and enhancing fielding efforts will be key factors in turning their performance around.
On the other hand, New Zealand displayed a commanding performance with both bat and ball. Their disciplined bowling and aggressive batting gave them an early advantage in the series. They will aim to maintain this momentum and seal the series early. Cricket fans are now eagerly waiting for the second T20 match, wondering if Pakistan can bounce back or if New Zealand will continue their winning streak. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting battle as both teams fight for supremacy in the series.
Conclusion:
For the Pakistani side, the opening Twenty20 encounter of the series against New Zealand served as a wake-up call. In order to win the next game, they must promptly correct their errors. New Zealand, on the other side, will try to maintain their winning streak and win the series early.
In anticipation of a thrilling match, cricket fans look forward to the second Twenty20. Will New Zealand continue to win or can Pakistan make a comeback? Watch this space for additional developments.
