WELLINGTON: New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the first Twenty20 international in Wellington.
Seth Rance and Tim Southee opened the bowling for the Black Caps and finished with three for 26 and three for 13 respectively from their four overs.
Babar Azam offered some resistance with 41 from as many deliveries, but tailender Hasan Ali – who smashed 23 from 12 balls – was the only other player to reach double figures as Pakistan were bowled out for 105 with two balls remaining.
Rumman Raees removed Martin Guptill and Glenn Phillips cheaply to briefly raise hopes of a comeback by the tourists, but Colin Munro hit an unbeaten 49 from 43 balls as partnerships of 49 with Tom Bruce and Ross Taylor saw the hosts over the line.
Raees finished with two for 24 in a losing cause, with the second game of the three-match series taking place in Auckland on Thursday.