Oct, 26 2025
When Michael Bracewell, captain of the New Zealand cricket team led his side to a dominant nine‑wicket win at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 16 March 2025, the opening match of the New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I series. Opposing captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss, elected to bat, and watched his side tumble to 11/4 before being bundled out for just 91 runs.
Series backdrop and venue advantage
The five‑match series was billed as a clash of the Trans‑Tasman giants and a South Asian powerhouse. Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, with its short boundaries and a pitch that often offers seam and swing early on, has historically favoured the home side. New Zealand’s record here – 13 wins in the last 15 T20Is – made the venue a subtle but significant factor.
Pakistan’s batting implosion
Opening the innings, Khushdil Shah and Haseebullah Khan fell for single‑digit scores, leaving the scoreboard at 11/4 after just three overs. The early wickets were a direct result of disciplined line‑and‑length from the Kiwi bowlers. Jacob Duffy rattled the top order with figures of 4/13 from 3.1 overs, while Kyle Jamieson added 3/10 in his four‑over spell. The pair combined for seven wickets in 7.1 overs, a spell the commentators described as “a demolition derby for the Pakistani top order”.
Even when Salman Ali Agha tried to steady the ship with a gritty 15‑run cameo, the pressure was relentless. The final wicket fell on the 17.1‑over mark, leaving Pakistan’s total at a paltry 91 – the lowest score seen in a T20I at Hagley Oval since 2014.
New Zealand’s bowling masterclass
Beyond the headline‑grabbing figures, the Kiwi bowlers displayed a keen understanding of the new‑ball conditions. Matt Henry stitched an early wicket, but it was Duffy’s ability to swing the ball both ways that forced the Pakistani batsmen into false strokes. Jamieson's four‑over spell, comprising two wicket‑taking deliveries in the death overs, ensured there was no late‑innings fireworks for Pakistan.
- Jacob Duffy – 4 wickets for 13 runs in 3.1 overs
- Kyle Jamieson – 3 wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs
- Matt Henry – 1 wicket for 8 runs in 2 overs
The collective economy rate sat at an astonishing 3.2 runs per over, turning a manageable chase into a walking target.
The chase: Seifert and Allen seal the win
With 91 on the board, New Zealand’s openers Tim Seifert and Fin Allen marched in with calm confidence. Seifert—who struck four boundaries in a brisk 21 off 16 balls—took the helm, while Allen contributed a quickfire 23 off 15 deliveries. The partnership was more about pacing than fireworks; they needed just 30 runs off the first two overs, and the required run‑rate never crept above three.
By the time the tenth over rolled around, New Zealand had already cleared the target with 59 balls still remaining. The final wicket fell at 10.1 overs, cementing a 9‑wicket victory that felt almost anticlimactic for the hosts.
Post‑match reactions
Bracewell, beaming in the dressing room, summed up the day: “It was a great day and it was fun to see Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy bowl. We’ll keep the same intensity for the next games.” The Kiwi captain’s optimism hinted at a broader strategy: use the new ball aggressively and let the bowlers dictate terms.
Across the tunnel, Agha acknowledged the disaster without excuses. “It was a difficult outing for us. We need to move on, learn from it, and bounce back in the next game,” he said, adding that “the new ball worked well for New Zealand; we’ll look to use it better next time.”
What this means for the series
The 1‑0 lead gives New Zealand a cushion but not a comfortable one. With four matches left, the series can still swing dramatically. Pakistan’s technical staff have already hinted at a reshuffle in the top order, possibly promoting a more aggressive opener for the second T20I slated for 18 March 2025 at 01:15 GMT.
Analysts from NDTV Sports, including reporter Sahil Bakshi, called Pakistan’s performance “horrendous”, noting that “the hosts ran riot with the ball early on, leaving Pakistan’s camp shell‑shocked”. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s batting depth—evident in the easy chase—means they can afford a slip‑up and still stay in contention.
Historical context
New Zealand’s dominance at Hagley Oval isn’t new. Since the venue’s first T20I in 2010, the home side has posted an 86% win rate. The venue’s seam‑friendly pitch, coupled with a typically sunny March climate, gives the Kiwi bowlers a natural edge. For Pakistan, touring the Southern Hemisphere in March has historically been challenging; their lowest T20I total on foreign soil remains 78 against South Africa in 2018.
Key facts
- Date: 16 March 2025
- Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Result: New Zealand won by 9 wickets (10.1 overs)
- Pakistan total: 91 all out (17.1 overs)
- New Zealand chase: 92/1 (10.1 overs)
- Man of the Match: Jacob Duffy (4/13)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the pitch at Hagley Oval influence the match?
Hagley Oval’s seam‑friendly surface offered swing early on, which the New Zealand bowlers exploited. The extra bounce helped Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson extract movement, leading to early wickets and keeping Pakistan’s run‑rate low throughout their innings.
What were the key factors behind Pakistan’s batting collapse?
A combination of disciplined New Zealand bowling, especially the new‑ball swing, and poor shot selection caused the top order to fall cheaply. Losing four wickets for just 11 runs created immense pressure, and the lower‑order couldn’t recover, finishing at 91 all out.
Who stood out for New Zealand in this match?
Jacob Duffy was the standout with figures of 4/13, earning him the Man of the Match award. Kyle Jamieson’s three‑wicket spell and the steady opening partnership of Tim Seifert and Fin Allen also played pivotal roles.
What does this result mean for the rest of the series?
New Zealand leads 1‑0, giving them a psychological edge. However, four matches remain, so Pakistan can still rally. Their next game will likely see a reshuffled batting order in an attempt to reverse the early collapse.
When and where is the second T20I scheduled?
The second T20I is set for 18 March 2025 at 01:15 GMT, with the venue confirmed as Wellington’s Basin Reserve, offering a different set of conditions for both sides.