Pakistan were hammered by New Zealand in their tour-opening T20I on Sunday in Christchurch, following which the visiting team's new captain Salman Agha admitted that they were "not up to the mark".
Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 91, their lowest total in a T20I in New Zealand and lost by nine wickets when the hosts raced home in just 10.1 overs for the loss of one wicket.
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"It was difficult; we were not up to the mark but we need to re-gather," said Agha after the match. "They bowled really well, in great areas, and there was a bit of seam movement as well. We will sit down, have a chat and think about the next game...The new ball does a bit in New Zealand, we have good bowlers and we will look to do well in the next match."
New Zealand pacers Jacob Duffy (4 for 14) and Kyle Jamieson (3 for 8) combined to take seven wickets to demolish the Pakistan batting line-up after the latter rocked the top order with three wickets. The Kiwis were reduced to 11 for 4 in just 4.4 overs.
Skipper Agha (18) and Khushdil Shah (32) added 46 runs but couldn't kick on. Pakistan's previous lowest total in a T20I in New Zealand was 101 in Wellington during the 2016 tour.
Openers Finn Allen (29 not out) and Tim Seifert (44) then added 53 runs in 5.5 overs before the latter was sent back by spinner Abrar Ahmed as the only wicket to fall in New Zealand's run-chase, which was completed off the first ball of the 11th over.
