Black Caps cruise to win over Pakistan

WELLINGTON (92 News) – New Zealand have comprehensively beaten Pakistan by seven wickets in the first Twenty 20 International (T20I) on Monday. The visitors' reached 105, offering few answers to the hosts' interrogation after getting sent in. They served up nine catches, a stumping and a highest partnership of 30 on a pitch whose qualities for unfettered batsmanship were debatable. Pakistan placed New Zealand's order under pressure early at eight for two, but Colin Munro (49 not out from 43 balls) and Tom Bruce (26 from 22 balls) delivered a partnership of 49 for the third-wicket which steadied and ultimately ensured the win. Munro took a knock to the right wrist from a run out shy, but was undeterred. The left-hander helped add 49 further unbeaten runs with Ross Taylor (22 from 13 balls) to complete the win, courtesy of a Hasan Ali wide from the final ball. The result was observed by a sparse 8688-strong crowd on the province's anniversary day, raising further questions whether New Zealand's success is breeding apathy ahead of Australia and England's arrival next month. New Zealand had effectively decided the contest before the halfway point in Pakistan's innings with their bowling and fielding menace. New Zealand also rested pacemen Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. Ranked No.1 in the world in the shortest form of the game, the Black Caps entered the series after winning the one-day international series against Pakistan 5-0. Five players not involved in the ODI series were injected into the NZ team -- Glenn Phillips, Tom Bruce, Anaru Kitchen, Ish Sodhi and Rance. Pakistan were bolstered by the return of pace bowlers Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir, who both sat out the fifth ODI, but were without experienced allrounder Shoaib Malik, who flew home after suffering ongoing concussion symptoms. He was struck on the head by the ball while batting in the fourth ODI.