New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell hits a six at Eden Park in game one of the international Twenty20 series against Pakistan. Photo: Photosport
A mammoth total proved a mountain too tall for Pakistan as the Black Caps claimed victory in the first T20I in Auckland by 46 runs.
Half centuries to Daryl Mitchell and returning captain Kane Williamson propelled the hosts to an imposing 226/8 after being sent in to bat.
Regular wickets meant Pakistan never seriously threatened the target, Babar Azam providing the only real resistance before his side lost six wickets for just 21 runs.
Tim Southee made history as he brought up 150 T20 international wickets, the first man in the game to do so.
A strong batting performance by New Zealand was slightly marred by several dropped catches, though Ish Sodhi did manage to snaffle a screamer off his own bowling.
Mitchell told TVNZ you are never quite sure how many runs are required at Eden Park.
"The partnerships we built through the middle allowed us to have a platform, and the way the boys bowled at the end was superb."
He said the Auckland conditions suited him well.
"The pitch here always has decent pace and carry so just tried to play nice cricket shots."
Mitchell Santner was a late withdrawal after testing positive for Covid-19 which was not the only early adversity for the hosts.
Shaheen Afridi dismissed Devon Conway first ball after chipping straight to cover as the Kiwis found themselves 1-1 after the first over.
Allen then erupted Eden Park with a barrage of boundaries, blasting 24 off Afridi's second over.
Aamer Jamal castled Allen two balls later with an absolute peach but the young opener was brought back to the crease after the umpire called a no ball for over stepping.
More drama followed as Williamson attempted to lap Jamal, Pakistan reviewing the not-out as replays confirmed umpires decision, the skipper surviving by a whisker.
Williamson was given another life after skying one, only for Babar Azam to spill the opportunity.
Pakistan finally got some luck when Allen miss-timed one to debutant Abbas Afridi.
Williamson continued at a run a ball while Mitchell increased the run rate with back to back sixes off Usama Mir.
Williamson brought up his half century off 40 balls with a classy four over cover, but held out shortly after for 57.
Glenn Phillips joined Mitchell and the pair put on 36 before Phillips was out for 19 with New Zealand 164-4.
Mark Chapman and Mitchell continued the carnage as Mitchell notched his half century but was dismissed by the Pakistan captain.
Adam Milne was then out off Shaheen's final delivery of his spell which ended at 3-46.
A golden duck followed for Ish Sodhi but Chapman ensured the Black Caps powered past the 200 mark.
Tim Southee swept a six off the last ball to bring the total to 226/8, their highest ever in T20I's against Pakistan.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson celebrates his 50 runs with Daryl Mitchell. Photo: Photosport
Debutant Saim Ayub returned the favour and cut Southee for four off the first ball of the chase, as Williamson then grassed a regulation chance to send the newcomer back to the sheds.
Another dropped chanced followed for Matt Henry who was unable to snag a difficult caught and bowled opportunity.
Ayub punished the Kiwis for his reprieve, taking Henry for 17 from his first over as he raced to 27 from eight.
Adam Milne picked up the Kiwis first scalp as Ayub was run out at the non-strikers end by the fast bowler.
Mohammed Rizwan was next to go after a blistering 24 before Ish Sodhi took a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss Fakhar Azam for 15.
Babar kept ticking things over for the tourists but was losing partners, Iftikhar Ahmed holding out for 24 just as the partnership was looking dangerous.
Babar scored his fifty from just 33 balls, surpassing Martin Guptill on the all time T20I run scorers list as Pakistan required a further 68 from the final five.
Their cause was further dented as Azam Khan found the once again reliable hands of Williamson.
Skipper Shaheen came and went with Milne picking up his second wicket of the over.
The match was then all but over when Ben Sears claimed the crucial wicket of Babar for 57 and then Usama Mir for one.
Southee's third brought up the 150 milestone for the veteran seamer, with Chapman taking a stunning catch to give Southee a four wicket bag and wrap up an emphatic victory to open the series.
Williamson told TVNZ things are always pretty chaotic at Eden Park.
"You are always in the game, a lot of credit to the bowlers, we knew the lengths we wanted to hit."
He praised Southee for his outstanding and history making figures.
"It's credit to his consistent performances over the years."
Game two is in Hamilton on Sunday night.
-RNZ
