Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand started with a defeat as debutant Jacob Duffy’s 4-wicket haul and Kuggeleijn’s 3-for dismantled Pakistan, securing a convincing 5-wicket victory in the 1^st T20I of the three-match series at Eden Park in Auckland.

Having elected to bat first, Pakistan got off to a bizarre start as they lost their opener Shafique for a 2-ball duck. Duffy, who bowled the fifth delivery of his first over earned the wicket as the delivery came straight after pitching around middle and Shafique, who was trying to hit through the on-side, failed to clear and Chapman took at mid-on.

However, Pakistan players couldn’t stabilize their innings as Duffy once again struck twice in his second over. He picked up Rizwan for 17 and Mohammad Hafeez for a duck in the two successive deliveries. Meanwhile, Kuggeleijn took a brilliant catch in his follow through and sent Haider Ali back in the hut for mere 3.

In front of a strong bowling attack, Pakistan could manage only 29 runs in the power play and 48 runs after the half-way mark. The responsibility fell upon Sadab Khan, the captain and Imad Wasim. They started to resurrect the innings with a 40-run stand before Kuggeleijn successfully broke the partnership.

However, his dismissal helped the team as Faheem Ashraf changed the pace of the game with his fierce batting. He started taking on each bowler and smashed a quickfire 31 off 18 with 2 fours and 3 sixes. His late onslaught took the score to 153 on board with the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. While Duffy claimed 4 wickets, Kuggeleijn picked up 3 wickets for New Zealand.

While chasing, New Zealand too lost their key opener, Martin Guptill, for mere 6. However, Devon Conway too failed to contribute as Haris Rauf sent him in the dugout soon. However, Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips started to steady the ship with a 44-run stand before Rauf struck again and dismissed Glenn for 23.

His dismissal brought Mark Chapman in the middle. He backed Tim well and paced the chase as well by taking the charge. A 45-run stand came from them in which Tim scored a well-made fifty as well. He scored 57 off 43 with 6 fours and a six before getting dismissed whereas Chapman smashed a 20-ball 34 with 4 fours and a six. 

Although Rauf trapped him before the stand, all-rounder James Neesham and the captain Mitchell Santner took the team home without further hiccups and 7 balls in hand.

Both the team will play their second T20I on Sunday, December 20.