Despite an early setback with the loss of Devon Conway, New Zealand initiated a strong start and ultimately posted a score of 56/2 during the powerplay.
Captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell focused on establishing a solid total, skillfully finding gaps in the field on several occasions.
The duo gained momentum, capitalizing on some fielding lapses by Pakistani players, including a notable incident involving Rizwan and Azam Khan.
In the eighth over bowled by Usama Mir, Kane Williamson drove a full-length ball outside the off, directing it towards point fielder Mohammed Rizwan. In his attempt to field the ball, Rizwan made a costly misfield, fumbling while grabbing the ball and subsequently throwing it to the wicket-keeper.
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) January 12, 2024
Despite not being the designated wicket-keeper for the match, the 31-year-old Rizwan faced difficulties in grabbing the ball, slipping and fumbling in the process. He had to recover ground to make the throw, but Azam Khan was unable to secure the ball after the fumble, allowing Williamson to complete the second run.