Saim Ayub shines before New Zealand overpower Pakistan in first T20

Shaheen Afridi's debut as Pakistan's T20 captain did not go according to plan, as New Zealand triumphed by 46 runs in a high-scoring T20 series opener in Auckland on Friday.

The Black Caps racked up 226-8 with Daryl Mitchell smashing 61 off 27 balls and captain Kane Williamson making a more sedate 57 from 42 balls.

Former captain Babar Azam (57) anchored Pakistan's chase for a while but veteran seamer Tim Southee (4-25) led New Zealand's attack admirably as the visitors were dismissed for 180 in 18 overs.

There were a number of noteworthy performers on Friday. Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in T20 Internationals, while Pakistan's debutant seamer Abbas Afridi was the pick of their bowlers with 3-34.

However, it was young batsman Saim Ayub who stole the show in his short yet explosive innings. Opening the innings for Pakistan, the 21-year-old - seen as the future of Pakistan's batting - blasted 27 from just eight balls before he was run out, with two fours and three sixes.

Ayub has made a name for himself at lower levels for his audacious strokeplay, and the left-handed batsman gave a glimpse of that in Auckland, depositing pacer Matt Henry over fine leg with a signature 'no-look' six.
Ayub was run two balls later.

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