A joint effort by Pakistan bowlers, followed by Mohammad Rizwan’s innings thrashed New Zealand in a one-sided manner by seven wickets with 47 balls to spare in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chasing a meager 91-run target, Pakistan successfully chased the total in 12.1 overs after losing only three wickets.

Pakistan chasing a low total lost its first wicket when Saim Ayoub got out on the second ball of the innings after scoring a boundary off the first one.

Rizwan joined Pakistan captain Babar Azam and together they stitched a 37-run stand for the second wicket to put the home team in the driving seat.

However, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell halted Pakistan’s progress as he removed his counterpart, who was playing at 14.

Ish Sodhi struck Usman Khan bringing Irfan Khan out to join Rizwan in the middle.

Together they knitted an unbeaten 36-run stand to guide Pakistan to the thumping victory with 47 balls to spare.

Rizwan top-scored with an unbeaten 45 off 34, featuring four boundaries and one six, while Khan scored run-a-ball 18 with two boundaries, including one six.

Earlier today, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Soon in the third over, Shaheen Afridi did what he does best and sent the Black Caps’ opener, Tim Seifert, back to the pavilion for just 12 runs.

After Shaheen, Mohammad Amir, who was playing his first match for Pakistan in almost four years, came to bowl and struck in his first over, removing Tim Robinson for just four runs.

Amir continued to trouble the visitor’s batting lineup as in his second over, he took the wicket of Dean Foxcroft with skipper Babar Azam taking a simple catch.

The Kiwis managed to save wickets for the next two overs but Abrar Ahmed took two quick wickets in the ninth over, sending Mark Chapman and James Neesham back to the pavilion after contributing 19 and one run respectively.

The remaining damage down the order was done by Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah. Only four New Zealand batters managed to score in double digits as Pakistan dominated the night with the ball.

Afridi picked three, while Amir, Abrar, and Shadab got two each. Naseem could only bag one.

AFP adds:

Earlier Amir -- returning to international cricket after nearly four years -- jolted New Zealand in the opening overs.

Amir retired abruptly in 2020 after he was dropped from the team, the second break in his career after he was banned for five years in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010.

Spinners Abrar Ahmed (2-15) and Shadab Khan (2-15) doubled the pressure as New Zealand were dismissed for their second lowest total against Pakistan in the game's shortest format.

Mark Chapman (19), Cole McConchie (15), Dean Foxcroft (13) and Tim Seifert (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Chapman hit three boundaries in his 16-ball knock.

New Zealand's lowest T20I total against Pakistan is 80, made at Christchurch in 2010.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah, also playing his first match since injuring his shoulder in September last year, took 1-27 in four overs.

Both teams are preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in June in the United States and the West Indies.

New Zealand are missing a host of their top players due to playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League, unavailability and injuries.

The remaining matches are in Rawalpindi on Sunday followed by the last two in Lahore on April 25 and 27.