Pakistan started their five match T20 series against New Zealand at Christchurch with limited options against the bounce and movement in the black caps backyard as they got thumped by 9 wickets with 59 balls to spare.
Pakistan is without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two key batters in the Pakistani outfit now defined as the Post era days of two great batters who were not selected for the tour for reasons best known only to the selectors.
New faces under the leadership of Salman Agar have been thrown into the deep end without the services of even Fakhar Zaman due to injury,
Batting first, the visitors lost 4 wickets for 11 runs with the top order having technical issues handling the bounce and swing of both Kyle Jammison and Jacob Duffy to be bowled out for an appaling 91 runs in 17.2 overs.
Darryl Mitchell, who missed an inside edge off the bat of Kushdi Shah before he opened his account, was an opportunity missed, which helped Pakistan to build a 46-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Agar Salman 18 and Kushdil Shah 32 that helped Pakistan to stich 91runs as a team total at Christchurch yesterday.
What would have been Pakistans fate had Darryl Mitchell held on to the catch at first slip off Khusdil?
Sadly, Pakistani batters were beaten all ends up, and the missing link of both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan looked futile to state the least.
Kyle Jammison, in his allocated 4 overs, took 3 wickets for 8 runs whilst Jacob Duffy tormented the visitors with 4 scalps for 14 runs.
Pakistani batters found breathing space when spinner Ish Sodhi was introduced into the attack, but he, too pocketed 2 victims for 27 runs.
91 all out is the 4th lowest score in T20 cricket and the lowest total recorded by Pakistan in this format.
New Zealand reached the target in 10.1 overs with opener Tim Seifert having a field day making 48 whilst Finn Allen made his presence with an unbeaten 27 and Tim Robinson unbeaten 18..
Pakistan will have to address the bounce and seam virus. Otherwise, the Kiwis will enjoy a holiday competition against the visitors.
Lesson for couch critics who demand to drop senior players during their personal droughts. Experience is a must blend with new players to help team building.