Mohammad Amir dominated the pre-game headlines ahead of the first T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan, but when the game was done and dusted on Friday, it was mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi who once again emerged as the star man for his side.
The 23-year old Amir, who made his international return more than five years after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, returned figures of 1/31 in four overs as Pakistan put in an almost clinical performance to win the first T20 by 16 runs.
Not many would have expected Pakistan to head into the second game of the three-match away series, to be played at Seddon park, Hamilton, on Sunday, with a 1-0 lead against a strong New Zealand side.
It was made possible by Afridi, whose did just about everything right on the cricket field.
First, his cameo of 23 off eight balls took Pakistan to a healthy 171 for 8 after it was asked to bat. Then, he took two wickets to return figures of 2 for 26 in four overs, took three catches and effected a run out.
He more than atoned for his mistake of dropping Kane Williamson in the New Zealand chase.
Pakistan's effort was special considering the fact that they had no warm-up game to get used to the conditions in New Zealand.
The batsmen looked comfortable against the short-pitched fast bowling while the bowling line led by Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Amir and Imad Wasim gave New Zealand no quarters.
But come Sunday, Pakistan would once again have to bat really well to trouble the Kiwis and they have the resources to do it. Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal all look in fine touch.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have a few issues to iron out. It found out in the previous match that it will be hard work against Pakistan's bowlers.
Instances of New Zealand's batsmen demolishing the opposition have been common in the recent past, but there may not be too many of those in this series. Williamson scored a composed 70 and Colin Munro blasted a 27-ball 56, but none of the other batsmen could attack. Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott looked completely out of sorts after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
New Zealand, however, will receive a shot in the arm with the return Ross Taylor, who was rested for the previous match. But it will be interesting to see who makes way for Taylor.
Teams (from)
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Aamer Yamin, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Mohammad Rizwan, Saad Nasim, Mohammad Amir.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor.
