New Zealand vs Pakistan: Tim Southee hits milestone as Black Caps go 1-0 up in T20I series with 46-run win

Auckland: Tim Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in Twenty20 internationals, leading New Zealand’s “nasty fasties” to a 46-run win over Pakistan in their series opener in Auckland.

Veteran seam bowler Southee claimed four wickets to pass the milestone and help dismiss the tourists for 180 in the 18th over in response to New Zealand’s imposing 226-8, handing them first blood in the five-match series.

Southee’s figures of 4-25 were the best of a run-dominated encounter at Eden Park and took him to 151 wickets in T20 internationals, 11 more than Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan.

He finished the job as Pakistan’s run chase capitulated after Babar Azam fell in the 17th over, with the former captain having accelerated to 57 off 35 balls to keep his side in contention.

There were starts for openers Saim Ayub (27) and Mohammad Rizwan (25) but Azam struggled to find support from his teammates before being caught at cover by captain Kane Williamson off Ben Sears’ bowling.

Williamson said Southee’s value across a 16-year career couldn’t be understated.

“Tim has been around for a long time and this is a credit to his consistent performances over a long period,” he said.

“But he also adds so much as a leader in our environment — a calm head and it’s pretty good to have him out there with some young nasty fasties.”

History for Tim Southee