Tim Southee, Colin Munro propel New Zealand to seven-wicket win vs Pakistan

New Zealand continued their dominant run as they defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Wellington Twenty20 International, with Tim Southee and Colin Munro proving to be the difference.

Pakistan’s dismal tour of New Zealand continued with a comprehensive loss to the Black Caps in their first Twenty20 international on Monday. (NEW ZEALAND vs PAKISTAN SCORECARD)

Tim Southee picked up 3/13 and led from the front for New Zealand after Kane Williamson was ruled out due to a side strain. (Getty Images)

Crushed 5-0 in the one-day international series, Pakistan’s woes continued at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The tourists avoided complete embarrassment after being bowled out for 105, but New Zealand closed out a seven-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Only Babar Azam (41) and Hasan Ali (23) managed to reach double-figures for Pakistan, who were in huge trouble at 38-6.

While Rumman Raees (2-24) struck twice, Colin Munro’s unbeaten 43-ball 49 saw New Zealand to victory with 25 balls to spare.

The Black Caps’ win was set up by their bowlers after they put Pakistan in to bat. Pakistan made numerous poor starts in the ODI series and that continued into the T20s. After Tim Southee (3-13) and Seth Rance (3-26) did the early damage, Mitchell Santner (2-15) got in on the act as well.

A 15-run partnership between Babar and Faheem Ashraf (7) at least slowed New Zealand, but Pakistan were all out after 19.4 overs.

Martin Guptill (2) and Glenn Phillips (3) fell early in the Black Caps’ chase, but Munro was comfortable before being joined by Tom Bruce (26) and Ross Taylor (22 not out).