Pakistan beat New Zealand in first Twenty20 match

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 15 January 2016

Mohammad Hafeez leads from the front as Pakistan beat New Zealand by 16 runs in the first Twenty20 international in Auckland.

Pakistan began their tour of New Zealand with a 16-run victory over the Black Caps in the first Twenty20 international in Auckland on Friday.

The tourists were put into bat by New Zealand and quickly set about posting a big score as opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 61 off 47 balls before he was removed by Adam Milne.

Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan bats during the first T20 match against New Zealand at Eden Park on January 15, 2016 © Getty Images

Short-and-sweet middle-order knocks from Shoaib Malik (20), Umar Akmal (24) and Imad Wasim (18) pushed Pakistan past 150 and Shahid Afridi particularly impressed with 23 off just eight balls.

Milne finished with four dismissals, while Mitchell Santner impressed with figures of two for 14 from his four overs as Pakistan posted 171-8 from their 20 overs at Eden Park.

In reply, Pakistan removed Black Caps danger-man Martin Guptill with a run-out in the second over before a second-wicket partnership of 80 from Kane Williamson and Colin Munro put the hosts in a good position to make the chase.

Imad Waseem of Pakistan runs out Martin Guptill of New Zealand during the first T20 match at Eden Park on January 15, 2016 © Getty Images

However, Matt Henry (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures before he was removed by Mohammad Amir, who was making his return after a five-year spot-fixing ban.

Pakistan completed the win by removing Trent Boult with the last ball of the innings as New Zealand were skittled for 155.