Easy home victory for NZ against Pakistan

Aucland : Tim Southee’s hat-trick and Martin Guptill’s hurricane 54 pushed New Zealand to defeat Pakistan by five wickets in the first Twenty20 International on Sunday here.

Southee wrecked havoc taking five wickets in eight balls to finish with 5/17. He was first Kiwi to bag five scalps in Twenty20 Internationals — as hosts held Pakistan to 143/9 after winning the toss.

Guptill then made 54, including a 23-ball half century — the fastest by a Kiwi in Twenty20s — to guide New Zealand to victory with 17 balls to spare in 146/5.

The victory gave New Zealand unaccustomed success after it recently extended its losing streak in one-day internationals to 11 matches with a 5-0 series loss in India.

The second match of the series is scheduled for Hamilton on Tuesday.