Colin Munro ensured New Zealand continued a stellar home summer on Monday when it thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare in the opening T20I match here.
Munro was left unbeaten on 49, when a wide by Hasan Ali in the 16th over allowed New Zealand to pass its 105-run target.
It kept New Zealand undefeated after 13 matches across all three formats including five one-dayers against Pakistan and a series of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s against the West Indies.
Munro and Tom Bruce (26) set up the New Zealand victory with a 49-run stand for the third wicket after the hosts wobbled at the start of the modest run chase.
After a cautious start to their partnership, Munro and Bruce took 11 runs off the ninth over and 12 off the 10th and they coasted from there. Following Bruce’s dismissal, Ross Taylor partnered Munro through to the end with a rapid 22 off 13 deliveries.
Munro’s 43-ball innings included three fours and two sixes and he was left a frustrating one-run short of being only the third player behind Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle to score four consecutive half-centuries in T20 cricket.
The scores: Pakistan 105 in 19.4 overs (Babar Azam 41, Seth Rance three for 26, Tim Southee three for 13) lost to New Zealand 106 for three in 15.5 overs (C. Munro 49 n.o., Tom Bruce 26).
