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Kyle Jamieson Exposes Babar Azam-less Pakistan, Picks 3 Wickets in 11 Balls to Leave Top-order in Shambles in 1st T20I
In a match that Pakistan fans would rather forget, the first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2025 delivered a stunning performance from Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson. His spectacular spell of three wickets in just 11 balls left Pakistan’s top-order in complete disarray, with the absence of their star captain Babar Azam only amplifying the depth of the collapse. The match, held in Wellington, showcased the might of Jamieson’s pace and swing, and it was a day when Pakistan’s batting order failed to rise to the occasion.
The Build-Up: Babar Azam’s Absence
The atmosphere was electric as the match began, but there was an early blow for Pakistan even before the first ball was bowled. Captain Babar Azam, their most reliable batsman, was ruled out due to a last-minute injury. The news sent shockwaves through the Pakistan camp, as Azam’s leadership and batting ability are often the backbone of Pakistan’s cricketing success.
With Azam out of the lineup, the burden of leading the charge fell on the shoulders of experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan and the power-hitters like Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali. However, New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Kyle Jamieson, had different plans.
The Early Struggles: Kyle Jamieson Strikes Early
New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that paid immediate dividends. The wicket at Wellington had early movement, and with the added pressure of Babar Azam’s absence, Pakistan’s top-order was under the pump.
Jamieson, the towering pacer known for his bounce and movement, was handed the ball to bowl the second over of the innings. Pakistan’s openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, knew they had to get off to a solid start, but they soon found themselves staring down the barrel of a Jamieson masterclass.
The first ball Jamieson bowled was full and swinging away, challenging Rizwan’s technique. Rizwan, in his usual calm fashion, let it go past to the keeper. The next ball, though, was a different proposition. A short ball, rising sharply, made Rizwan jump. He tried to pull but could only top-edge the ball, sending it straight into the hands of deep fine leg. The New Zealanders were all over him, and Rizwan walked off after contributing just 4 runs. The early breakthrough was a massive one for the Black Caps.
Score after 2 overs:
- Pakistan: 4/1 (Fakhar Zaman 0*, Mohammad Rizwan 4, out)
Jamieson on Fire: The Collapse Begins
Just as Pakistan was settling into the innings, Jamieson was back for his second over. Fakhar Zaman, the new man in, was on strike. Zaman, known for his aggressive batting, had to take the fight to the bowlers. However, Jamieson had other plans.
The first ball of his second over was a beauty. It was full, swinging in, and almost left Zaman in two minds. He went for the drive, but the ball was too quick, and it brushed the outside edge of his bat. The ball flew to second slip, where a sharp catch from Devon Conway sent Zaman packing for a golden duck. The Kiwi pacer had struck twice in two overs, and Pakistan’s top-order was now on the ropes.
Score after 3 overs:
- Pakistan: 4/2 (Fakhar Zaman 0*, Babar Azam 0, out)
Jamieson Takes Control: A Hat-trick Looms
The stadium was buzzing with excitement. Jamieson, with his towering frame and menacing pace, was in the zone. He wasn’t just bowling fast; he was bowling smart, making use of the conditions and understanding the weaknesses in Pakistan’s batting. The pressure was now firmly on the middle-order, with two of Pakistan’s most experienced openers already back in the pavilion.
Pakistan’s new number three, Iftikhar Ahmed, walked in at a time when Pakistan needed stability. However, Jamieson wasn’t done yet. His third over was even more sensational than the first two. The first ball was a fast yorker that almost shattered Iftikhar’s stumps. The next ball, though, was the one that would live long in the memory.
Jamieson bowled an almost unplayable delivery — a rising delivery that was perfectly angled in at Iftikhar. Trying to defend, he could only get a faint edge, and the ball went straight to the keeper, Tom Latham, who took a sharp catch. Iftikhar was gone for a duck, and Jamieson had picked up three wickets in just 11 balls, leaving Pakistan in complete disarray.
Score after 5 overs:
- Pakistan: 4/3 (Iftikhar Ahmed 0*, Fakhar Zaman 0*, out)
Pakistan’s Top-Order in Ruins: A Dramatic Turn of Events
With Pakistan now reduced to 4/3, the top-order had completely imploded, and New Zealand had a stranglehold on the game. The absence of Babar Azam felt even more pronounced as the middle order now had to come to terms with the pressure.
Pakistan’s hopes were now pinned on their two most experienced players left: Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. Both men are known for their calm under pressure, but the task at hand was monumental. New Zealand, led by Kyle Jamieson, had taken full control.
Jamieson’s spell had not just broken Pakistan’s momentum, but it had also dismantled the very foundation of their batting. Three wickets in a span of 11 balls had put New Zealand in the driving seat, and with Pakistan’s middle-order exposed, the pressure was on the remaining batsmen to put up a fight.
Rebuilding Efforts: Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez
As Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez walked to the crease, the New Zealand bowlers were on a high, and Jamieson, in particular, was the key weapon in their arsenal. Both veterans understood the importance of rebuilding, but the constant pressure of Jamieson and his colleagues made it almost impossible to score freely.
The key challenge for Pakistan was to rotate the strike and get the scoreboard ticking, but every time Malik or Hafeez seemed to settle in, Jamieson was back at the crease, looking to add to his tally. The middle-overs became a game of survival for Pakistan, and it was only when Jamieson was off the field that they could begin to breathe.
New Zealand Dominates: The Final Tally
By the time Kyle Jamieson’s spell concluded, Pakistan’s top-order was reduced to rubble, and New Zealand was firmly in control. Jamieson had picked up three wickets for just 15 runs in his 3-over spell, a sensational effort that showcased his ability to exploit the conditions and his uncanny knack for taking wickets at crucial junctures.
Pakistan limped to a modest total of 120/7 in their allotted 20 overs, a total that was never going to be enough in these conditions. New Zealand’s bowlers, spearheaded by Jamieson, had completely outclassed Pakistan’s top order.
Pakistan’s Scorecard at the End of Their Innings:
- Pakistan: 120/7 (Shoaib Malik 30*, Mohammad Hafeez 25*, Kyle Jamieson 3/15)
The Aftermath: A Crushing Defeat for Pakistan
New Zealand’s dominance in the first T20I was undeniable, and Kyle Jamieson’s incredible 3-wicket burst was the defining moment of the game. The absence of Babar Azam left a massive void in the Pakistan team, and with their top-order in shambles, the pressure on the middle and lower order proved too much.
Jamieson’s brilliance, combined with New Zealand’s discipline with the ball, had put Pakistan on the back foot from the very start. The match was a testament to the importance of key players in any T20I, and it showed how quickly a game can change with a spell of brilliance.
As the teams left the field, Pakistan’s camp was left with plenty of questions to answer. Could they bounce back in the next game? Or would New Zealand continue to assert their dominance?
One thing was certain: the memory of Jamieson’s magnificent spell would linger long in the minds of cricket fans worldwide.