Pakistan Thump New Zealand In Babar Azam's 100th T20I

Pakistan celebrated skipper Babar Azam's 100th international match in the shortest format with a clinical 88-run win in the first T20I against New Zealand in Lahore on Friday. Azam failed with just nine runs but Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub scored 47 runs each and put on a 79-run partnership for the third wicket to anchor Pakistan to 182 all out in 19.5 overs. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, one of five players who returned after being rested in Pakistan's last series against Afghanistan, took career best figures of 4-18 as New Zealand were 94 all out in 15.3 overs.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim finished with 2-2 in his only over -- taking both his wickets off successive deliveries.

Mark Chapman top-scored with 27-ball 34 inclusive of four boundaries and a six while skipper Tom Latham made 24-ball 20.

Rauf's previous best T20 figures of 4-22 had also come against New Zealand in Sharjah in 2021.

Azam praised his bowling unit.

"The pitch was assisting the bowlers so it was a good batting performance to get that total and then our complete bowling unit was excellent," said Azam, happy at reaching a personal landmark.

"I had never expected this. I still remember the journey of starting off here as a ball-boy on the side-lines, and to now be here, it is a huge honour," said Azam of serving as a ball-boy during the 2007 series against South Africa.

Latham said his team did not adapted to the different conditions.

"We did not quite adapt to the conditions early enough," said Latham whose team are missing top eight players due to Indian Premier League.

"On that surface, the score was slightly above-par. We did not build partnerships with the bat."

Earlier, Zaman and Ayub lifted Pakistan from a poor start after they won the toss and batted.