Kiwis cruise to victory in T20

Tim Southee’s five-wicket haul included a hat-trick, only the third in international Twenty20 matches [GALLO/GETTY]

New Zealand have secured a five-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Twenty20 international.

In Sunday’s match, Tim Southee, New Zealand pace bowler ripped through Pakistan’s batting order before opener Martin Guptill smashed a quick-fire half century to help secure a Kiwi win.

Southee took five wickets, including just the third hat-trick in international Twenty20 matches, while Guptill scored 54 in 29 balls.

Guptill’s 54 included four sixes, one of which almost went out of the ground. He was then run out when attempting a quick single but was sent back by Ross Taylor, stand-in New Zealand captain, who finished on 39 not out and saw the home side to victory.

Southee ripped through Pakistan’s batting line-up by taking five wickets in nine balls. His spell included a hat-trick, that reduced Pakistan from 58 for one to 68 for six within the space of 10 minutes.

Pakistan started strongly, quickly getting to 58 for one,  with the only dismissal that of captain Shoaib Afridi (20), before Southee began his purple patch, dismissing Ahmed Shehzad for 14 on the final ball of his first over.

He then dismissed Younis Khan (two), Hafeez (24) and Umar Akmal (0) on successive deliveries in his second over.

Southee carried on with the attack with Abdul Razzaq becoming his fifth victim on the second ball of his third over when he feathered a catch through to wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan for one.

He finished with figures of five for 18 from his four overs.

Pakistan’s bowlers provided some late resistance with the bat with Umar Gul (30) and Wahab Riaz (30 not out) helping their side through to 143 for nine off their 20 overs.