Pakistan Crushed by New Zealand in Record-Breaking T20I Loss
Pakistan hit a new low in T20I cricket, suffering a crushing nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The loss—with 59 balls remaining—marked Pakistan’s worst-ever T20I defeat in terms of balls left.
Batting Collapse: Pakistan Folds for 91
After being put into bat, Pakistan’s new opening pair of Mohammad Haris and debutant Hasan Nawaz failed to make an impact, both getting dismissed for ducks. Muhammad Irfan Khan (1) and vice-captain Shadab Khan also departed early, leaving Pakistan reeling at 3 for 1 in 2.2 overs.
The batting lineup never recovered, with Khushdil Shah (32) being the only player to cross 30 runs. Pakistan eventually folded for 91 in 18.4 overs, their fifth-lowest total in T20Is.
New Zealand’s bowlers dominated, with Jacob Duffy (4 wickets), Kyle Jamieson (3), Ish Sodhi (2), and Zakary Foulkes (1) tearing through Pakistan’s batting order.
New Zealand’s Dominant Chase
New Zealand comfortably chased 92 in just 10.1 overs, losing only one wicket. Tim Seifert (44 off 29) and Finn Allen (34)* ensured a smooth victory, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
This defeat surpassed Pakistan’s previous worst loss in terms of balls remaining—a nine-wicket defeat to Australia in 2018, where the Aussies chased the target with 55 balls to spare in Harare.
Pakistan’s Biggest T20I Defeats While Batting First
| Margin | Balls Remaining | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nine wickets | 59 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 2025 |
| Nine wickets | 55 | Australia | Harare | 2018 |
| Seven wickets | 52 | Australia | Hobart | 2024 |
| Ten wickets | 51 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Ten wickets | 49 | Australia | Perth | 2019 |
Pakistan’s worst-ever T20I loss while batting second also came against New Zealand in 2016, when they were bowled out for 101 while chasing 196 in Wellington, suffering a 95-run defeat.
What’s Next?
The second T20I will be played in Dunedin on Tuesday, where Pakistan will aim to bounce back and level the series.
