PAK beat NZ by 2 runs | Pakistan vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match

So that is it from this game. Pakistan continue to impress in the shorter format and have now taken the lead in the series. New Zealand on the other hand, played really well and their performance here will surely give them confidence heading into the next game. It will be played on the 2nd of November at 2000 local (1400 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.

Pakistan skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed credits the way their bowlers bowled. Mentions 150 was the score they wanted on board. States he wanted Asif Ali to spend more time in the middle and hence he was promoted. He feels good about himself scoring runs tonight. Reckons they played well in the middle overs and appreciates the way Afridi and Hasan Ali bowled. Ends by saying, there was dew tonight and it may play a part in the games further.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says there are a lot of positives to take out of this game. Mentions he knows how clinical Pakistan are here. Credits the way they played. He reckons the wicket got slower as the game progressed. Adds further, they could not capitalize despite getting off to a good start. Ends by saying the fielding effort was exceptional and that is very important in a T20I games.

Man of the Match, Mohammad Hafeez, says he is happy with his contribution in the win. Admits he does have problems with his modified action but he keeps working on it. Mentions he tries to play according to the situation. Ends by saying is happy with how the team is playing.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan set a decent target, courtesy Hafeez's excellent knock and cameos from the lower-order batsman. A strong finish saw them reach close to 150 which in the end proved to be enough.

The Pakistan bowlers were once again at their best. Their record of never losing a game after setting a target of above 130 continues. Yes, they did take a pounding in the first six but came back strongly after that. Hasan Ali was the star for them as he picked up 3. Shadab once again impressed as he was economical and got the big wicket of Munro. He was supported well by all the spinners. Shaheen Afridi, the youngster, also showed nerves of steel and ensured the home side take a 1-0 lead.

Taylor and Anderson then built a partnership but not at the rate they would have wanted. They maybe planned to take it deep but when the time to go big arrived, the southpaw held out. Taylor then had a lot to do and with minimum support from the other end, he failed to take the away side over the line.

Once the spinners were brought on, the runs started to dry up. The older ball was tough to score on and the run rate needed kept on creeping up. Munro then decided to cut lose. He hit a few boundaries and got to his fifty but then perished. That wicket began the downfall of the Kiwis as they then lost two quick wickets of Colin and Williamson.

Pakistan have once again managed to defend a total here. How good are they at doing this? New Zealand got off to a terrific start in the Powerplay, courtesy Munro. He was hitting the new ball really well and the visitors were 50 for 1 after the first 6. However, they failed to capitalize on the start they got and then began to lose their way.

Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Shaheen has done it. Taylor does not hit it over the ropes. A high full toss but the timing is not there. Taylor hits it over mid off for a boundary. All smiles in the Pakistan camp as THEY WIN BY 2 RUNS!

Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. No boundary but New Zealand can still take this game to a Super Over. Taylor flicks it through mid-wicket and takes two. 7 needed from the last ball.

Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. A couple now! A yorker on middle, Taylor jams it out towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. A boundary needed on the next ball.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Southee. Southee misses out! Another high full toss by Afridi. Southee swings, he gets an outside edge down to third man for a run. 11 from 3.

Shaheen Afridi to Tim Southee. FOUR! He has but a brilliant effort from him. Southee shuffles across and tries to flick. He gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. Hasan Ali from short fine leg hares after it. Faheem in the deep makes good ground to his right, dives and tries to push it back in. Hasan Ali does the mopping up job. The umpire though wants to have a check and replays show that, the ball has touched the marked line as the boundary cushion was pushed behind. A boundary is signalled. 12 needed from 4.

Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Excellent delivery to begin the last! Full and on off, Taylor hits it down to long off for just a run.

Hasan Ali to Tim Seifert. OUT! Clean bowled! Hasan is pumped up. Cannot really fault the batsman. He had to go for the big hit and he swung hard. But unluckily for him, the 147 kph ball was too quick for him. Timber. Hasan finishes with a 3-fer - 4-0-35-3.

Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Low full toss outside off, bunted towards cover for a run.

Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Two more. Works it wide of long on and charges back for the second. Could have had Seifert with a better throw.

Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Short and outside off, Rosco pulls it through mid-wicket where Hafeez does a wonderful job near the boundary. Two runs taken.

Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. TOP EDGE, FOUR! That will help New Zealand! A short ball, around middle, Taylor looks to pull but is hurried by the pace. Gets a top edge which flies over the leaping keeper to the fine leg fence.

Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. OUT! Hasan gets Corey! This wicket will do a world of good for Pakistan. A fuller length ball, around middle, Anderson goes deep in his crease and tries to heave it over long on, aiming to get underneath the ball. However, he is not quite able to generate enough power. Skies it miles in the air only to see it taken by Shoaib Malik at the ropes after it completes its parabolic path. Now... that equation changes big time. 26 needed from 11.