NZ vs SA Live Score

9:27 AM IST Could not have asked for more - The captain of South Africa, Keshav Maharaj expresses immense pride as his team’s plans and execution proved to be top-notch on the field. He highlights the exciting depth within the South African system, noting that he could not have asked for a better performance from the debutants. Reflecting on the personal milestone of playing 50 T20Is, Maharaj cherishes the rare and special opportunity to captain his country, especially given how clinically his side has performed.

9:25 AM IST South African quicks rip through New Zealand - Earlier, after losing the toss, on a two-paced wicket, South African quicks made the most of the seam movement on offer and piled on the misery for the Kiwis. Having lost five wickets in the powerplay, the home side never recovered. In hindsight, you feel that New Zealand aimed too high, looking at some of the shots that led to their downfall, and perhaps felt this was a better wicket to bat on than it actually turned out to be. The Kiwis were folded for just 91 with Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman and Keshav Maharaj picking up two wickets apiece, while the debutant Nqobani Mokoena had three to his name.

9:24 AM IST That's all from Mount Maunganui - A quick turnaround for the two sides, with the second T20I of this five-match series set to take place at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Tuesday, 17th March. The match will begin at 6.15 am GMT, but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

9:23 AM IST We could have adapted better with the bat - New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner says there was probably a little more in the pitch than they initially expected and credits South Africa for bowling well. He adds that it becomes tough after losing wickets in the powerplay and believes his side could perhaps have scraped their way to a slightly better total. Santner says it is one of those games where the team reflects on the small moments. Mentions that the side prides itself on adapting to conditions, but feels that they did not quite manage that on the night. He reckons that 120 or 130 would have made this game exciting. Looking ahead, Santner points out that this series gives teams the luxury of multiple games, though he acknowledges that starting slowly is never ideal. He describes South Africa as a quality side and says the team is ready for a fight in the remaining matches. Shares that he is happy with the amount of turn the surface offered and cheekily says that he won't mind if the surface behaves the same way in Hamilton.

9:18 AM IST PLAYER OF THE MATCH -  The 19-year-old speedster Nqobani Mokoena wins the award on his debut. The debutant finished with figures of 3/26 in 3.3 overs. Mokoena describes the win and his performance as a pretty good feeling while making his debut, even after a tough start where his first two overs didn't go as planned. He notes that the nippy conditions were firmly in the bowlers' favour and shares that he effectively mixed in his slower balls to dismantle the opposition. He expresses his happiness with the way he bounced back to pick up key wickets.

9:11 AM IST Time for the presentation ceremony...