(Reuters) – Pakistan opener Sarfraz Ahmed’s belligerent 76 not out secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in the first Twenty20 International in Dubai yesterday.
Sarfraz hit two sixes and eight fours in his 64-ball knock to help Pakistan reach their target with five balls to spare after Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 135 for seven.
Asked to bat first, New Zealand slumped to 15 for three before Martin Guptill (32) and Corey Anderson (48) halted the slide with a 46-run stand. Leading the team in the absence of rested Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson was dismissed for a golden duck when Anwar Ali’s third delivery trapped him lbw.
After Guptill’s departure in the 10th over, Anderson added 51 runs with Luke Ronchi (33) but his 37-ball knock studded with four sixes came to an end when Saad Nasim leapt to take a brilliant catch on the boundary.
Anderson’s exit in the 16th over robbed New Zealand of the momentum and the visitors scored only 25 runs off the last five overs.