Pakistan cricket fans were left shocked after their team’s disastrous performance in the first T20I against New Zealand. The Men in Green crumbled to just 91 runs, marking their fifth-lowest total in T20 history and their worst in New Zealand. The host have now taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match contest.

Following the humiliating defeat, fans took to social media and shamed PCB while demanding the return of Babar Azam to strengthen the team.

New Zealand drown Pakistan

Pakistan under new skipper Salman Agha had opted for a new approach by dropping experienced batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in an attempt to play more aggressive cricket. However, the strategy backfired as the batting lineup collapsed against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling.

New Zealand pace attack bundled Pakistan for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs. Kyle Jamieson was the wrecker in chief, picking three wickets in 11 balls in the powerplay, while Jacob Duffy finished with 4 for 14.

The host then easily chased down that total, reaching 92-1 from 10.1 overs with Tim Seifert making 44 from 29 balls and Finn Allen 29 from 17. Tim Robinson was 18 not out and took two runs from the first ball of the 11th over to complete the win.

Agha later admitted that the team’s performance was below par and that they need to rethink their approach before the second T20I in Dunedin. “We weren’t up to the mark. Their bowlers bowled in the right areas and got movement, but our batting should have been better. We have a day before the next match, and we’ll try to regroup and come back stronger,” he said.

With the series still open, Pakistan will have to make quick adjustments if they want to bounce back against a dominant New Zealand side.