Colin Munro struck three boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten knock of 49

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Colin Munro claimed the key wicket of Babar Azam before smashing an unbeaten 49 as New Zealand cruised to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International in Wellington.

Being put in to bat first, Pakistan struggled right from the get-go as they lost wickets in a hurry.

With New Zealand’s bowling attack working as a cohesive unit to slice through Pakistan’s batting line-up, the hosts found themselves in all sorts of trouble when they were reduced to 53/7 in the 14th over.

Hasan Ali provided some late fireworks as he hammered a 12-ball 23, but he was one of only two players to reach double figures.

The other was Azam, who provided some resistance while wickets tumbled around him as he scored 41 off 41 balls, which included a boundary and a six.

Babar Azam was Pakistan’s top-scorer with 41 runs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Thanks to Azam and Hasan, Pakistan managed to make 105 before being bowled out.

Seth Rance and stand-in captain Tim Southee picked up three wickets apiece, while Mitchell Santner snapped up two. As for Munro and Anaru Kitchen, they chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 106 to win, New Zealand lost opener Martin Guptill on the seventh ball of the innings as he was caught by Mohammad Nawaz at mid-on off the bowling of Rumman Raees for two runs.

Glenn Phillips fared no better as he was clean bowled by Raees for three runs.

Munro and Tom Bruce stabilised the innings with a 49-run partnership before Bruce was dismissed by Shadab Khan for 26.

However, that was to be Pakistan’s last taste of success for the rest of the match as Munro and Ross Taylor finished things off with an unbeaten 49-run stand.

Munro ended up making 49 off 43 balls, which included three boundaries and two sixes, while Taylor remained undefeated on 22 off 13 deliveries, which included three boundaries.

Raees was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Shadab claimed one.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was frustrated to have lost again, and said: “We lost too many wickets, and didn’t recover for the full match. We assessed the pitch, if we don’t have wickets in hand, we would lose. They bowled well. Our bowlers bowled well, if we scored 130-140 it would have been a good match.”

Southee was pleased to have won, and said: “Winning the toss on that wicket, and taking wickets was the plan. Not your typical Westpac wicket. He has been playing great cricket (Rance), he’s shown he’s worthy of playing in this team.”

Munro was named Man of the Match, and said: “Very pleasing for me, not something I’m used to, gave myself some time. A little bit up and down, but not a shocker. We spoke about trying to play straight, we went across the line and lost wickets. I’ve evolved in the last 12-18 months, I tried to premeditate in the shorter format, but I’m reacting well. I was owed one (the hit on the wrists), hit [Shoaib] Malik on the head.”