First T20I between Pakistan and NZ called off due to rain

The first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off due to repeated showers in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The players returned to the field for just two balls after it was announced that the game had been reduced to five overs per side.

Shaheen Afridi took the new ball for the home side and removed Tim Robinson on the second ball courtesy of an inswinging delivery which rattled the stumps.

The rain returned just after the dismissal and the match was called off by the umpires.

Earlier, the players left the field just before Shaheen was on his mark to deliver the first ball of the match.

New Zealand won the toss and captain Michael Bracewell decided to bat first

Pakistan handed debut caps to three players - Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi and Abrar Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Josh Clarkson was making debut for the New Zealand.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi