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Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2024

Batting maestro Babar Azam's 57 off 35 went in vain as New Zealand hammered Pakistan by 46 runs in the first T20I in Auckland on January 12, Friday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam in this frame. (Getty)

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'...he couldn’t live up to the expectations...': Umar Gul's bold remark on Babar Azam's strike rate after Pakistan's loss in 1st T20I

Despite Babar Azam's fiery fifty Pakistan went down to 46-run defeat against New Zealand in the T20I series opener in Auckland on January 12.

Pakistan's Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and India's Virat Kohli in this frame. (Getty)

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NZ vs PAK: Babar Azam misses out on smashing Virat Kohli's all-time record despite bagging big milestone in 1st T20I against Kiwis

Kane Williamson (57 runs off 52 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (61 runs off 27 balls) took charge of New Zealand's innings in the middle overs and scored runs with ease.

New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the T20I series against Pakistan.

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NZ vs PAK: History-maker Tim Southee, batters help New Zealand beat Pakistan by 46 runs in 1st T20I

Kane Williamson offered a simple chance to Babar at mid-on off Abbas Afridi's bowling. However, Babar misjudged the catch, allowing New Zealand to capitalize on the missed opportunity.

Babar Azam dropped the catch of Kane Williamson. 

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WATCH: Pakistan's embarrassing stretch of drop catches continues as Babar Azam spills an easy chance, Afridi holds his head in disbelief

Shaheen Shah Afridi leaked 24 runs in his second over as Finn Allen dismantled him on an outstanding batting pitch during the first T20I of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi during game one of the T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan. (Getty Images)

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NZ vs PAK: 24-year-old batter explodes against Shaheen Afridi, whacks 3 fours and 2 sixes in Pakistan captain's over

As per NZC's update, Mitchell Santner will be closely monitored in the upcoming days. He will travel alone to Hamilton, which incidentally is the venue for the series' second T20I

Tim Southee (L), Mitchell Santner (C) and Matt Henry (R).

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NZ vs PAK: Massive blow for New Zealand as dreaded COVID-19 strikes again, star player forced out of 1st T20I

PAK vs NZ: Shaheen Afridi has said that the team management will give chances to the young players ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam in action (File Photo: Getty Images)

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'There might be some changes, or maybe not': Shaheen Afridi responds to reports around Babar Azam's demotion to no.3 in T20Is

NZ vs PAK: Saim Ayub is likely to replace Babar Azam at the top and open alongside Mohammad Rizwan for the five-T20I series against New Zealand.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam during a practice session (File Photo: Getty Images)

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Babar Azam set to lose his opening spot in T20Is to 21-year-old Saim Ayub for New Zealand series: Reports

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England Women tour of South Africa 2024

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Nat Sciver-Brunt tonked the fastest Women's Test hundred during one-off Test against South Africa

Nat Sciver-Brunt shattered the earlier record held by Sri Lanka's Chamani Seneviratna

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Australia's batter Hilton Cartwright was taken off the field after he suffered a brutal neck injury during BBL 2024 match

Australian batter Hilton Cartwright stretchered off the field after gruesome injury during BBL 2024 match

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UP Warriorz roped in three players in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction including Australia's Alana King.

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UP Warriorz also bought Australia's Alana King for Rs 10 lakh

Australia's Alana King in this frame

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New Zealand vs Pakistan Match Stats

1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland

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