New Zealand Crush Pakistan in First T20I with Mitchell’s Power and Sodhi’s Stunner
A swashbuckling knock by Daryl Mitchell and a sensational one-handed grab by Ish Sodhi powered New Zealand to a convincing 46-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of their five-match Twenty20 international series at Eden Park on Friday.
Mitchell smashed a belligerent 61 off 27 balls, propelling New Zealand to a formidable 226-8, their fifth-highest T20I total and the third-highest on Eden Park. It was also the highest score Pakistan had ever conceded in a T20 match.
Sodhi then turned the tide with a stunning return catch off his own bowling, diving low to his left to dismiss Babar Azam and leave Pakistan reeling at 109-4.
Tim Southee also starred with the ball, bagging 4-25 in his four overs, as the Black Caps skittled out Pakistan for 180 in the 18th over.
Mitchell’s Mayhem Sets the Stage for New Zealand
The Black Caps’ innings got off to a flying start after they were sent in to bat by Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. Finn Allen plundered 35 off 15 balls, including 24 runs off one Afridi over, before departing inside the power play.
His explosive cameo allowed Kane Williamson to play a more measured knock, anchoring the innings with a composed 57 off 42 balls. Only Devon Conway’s wicket qas something to cheer about for Pakistan, other than that, it was all New Zealand who batted brilliantly.
But it was Mitchell who stole the show in the final overs, launching a brutal assault that yielded 54 runs off the last 21 balls he faced. He eventually holed out in the deep in the final over, but his knock had already put the Black Caps well on their way to a big total.
Mark Chapman added a quick-fire 26 off 11 balls, while Adam Milne and Tim Southee also chipped in with useful sixes as the Black Caps posted a daunting 226-8 on the board.
Pakistan’s Reply Falters Early
Pakistan’s chase began brightly as they raced to 29-0 in the second over. However, New Zealand struck a crucial blow in the third over when Saim Ayub was run out for 27 after backing up too far.
The loss of Mohammed Rizwan for 25 in the sixth over, courtesy of a fine catch by Devon Conway off Southee’s bowling, further dented Pakistan’s momentum. Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal for 15 in the ninth over, caught by Sodhi off his own bowling, left Pakistan struggling at 90-3.
Sodhi and Southee Star with the Ball
Sodhi continued to torment the Pakistan batsmen, taking a sharp catch to dismiss Iftikhar Ahmed for 24 in the 11th over. Tim Southee then joined the party, removing the dangerous Babar Azam for 57 in the 15th over with a well-directed delivery that Williamson pouched at extra cover.
Azam Khan and Shaheen Afridi followed in quick succession, caught by Williamson and Milne respectively, leaving Pakistan’s hopes in tatters. Although Pakistan remained in the game for the most part the chase, the loss of wickets pushed them out of the game as Pakistan as they eventually fell short by 46 runs.
The Black Caps will look to build on their momentum when the two teams meet again in Hamilton on Sunday night. The final three matches of the series will be played in the South Island next week.
