Mohammad Amir made a low-key return to international cricket as Pakistan began their Twenty20 series against New Zealand with a 16-run win in Auckland.
Amir was playing for the first time since his five-year ban for spot-fixing and claimed a wicket as the Black Caps were bowled out for 155.
Wahab Riaz was the pick of the Pakistan attack, claiming 3-34, while Amir removed eighth man out Matt Henry as the Black Caps collapsed towards defeat.
Pakistan earlier set a target of 171 for eight after Mohammad Hafeez’s 61 from 47 balls at the top of the order while Shahid Afridi clubbed 23 from eight balls. Adam Milne took 4-37.
New Zealand made an uncertain start but their chase began to gather pace on the back of Colin Munro, who clubbed six sixes on his way to a 27-ball 60.
The left-hander’s exit at the end of the 10th over, when bowled by Wahab, prompted a collapse of five for 19 to turn the game Pakistan’s way.
Wahab fittingly confirmed victory as Amir ended with figures of 1-31 from four overs.
The left-armer, who is now 23, was banned by the International Cricket Council after he was found guilty of bowling no-balls to order during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010. Amir also served three months of a six-month jail sentence.
Source: ECB