New Zealand v Pakistan, 2015-16

Twenty20 internationals (3): New Zealand 2, Pakistan 1
One-day internationals (3): New Zealand 2, Pakistan 0

This brief tour formed part of the teams' preparations for the World Twenty20, although off-field developments threatened to overshadow it. The main interest centred on the international return of Pakistan's left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir, more than five years after he was banned for bowling deliberate no-balls in a Test at Lord's.

At first, some of his team-mates were reluctant to accept him back into the fold. Azhar Ali had to be persuaded not to resign as the one-day captain, while Mohammad Hafeez expressed reservations about playing with someone who had "damaged the pride and integrity of the country". Both missed the start of the pre-tour training camp, but were talked round by the Pakistan Cricket Board. There was also speculation that Amir might be denied an entry visa, but he made it to New Zealand without any drama.

Amir, still only 23, seemed to cope with the pressure. There were catcalls when he bowled, while spectators brandished wads of banknotes when he fielded near the boundary. New Zealand Cricket were embarrassed by the Wellington ground announcer playing a cash-register sound effect during one of his spells; NZC's chief executive David White was forced to apologise to the Pakistanis. Amir managed only one for 100 during the Twenty20s, but did better in the 50-over games, collecting five wickets and going for less than four an over.

New Zealand came from behind to win the T20 series, in which the pacy Adam Milne took eight wickets, while Trent Boult - newly installed at the top of the ODI rankings - claimed six in the two 50-over matches that escaped the weather. New Zealand had other concerns. Thoughts were turning to life after Brendon McCullum, who had announced he would retire after the series against Australia. He featured only in the final one-day international, after resting his troublesome back, and bagged a golden duck. In his absence, Kane Williamson - the anointed successor - did a good job, leading the fightback after the loss of the first Twenty20 game. Mitchell McClenaghan suffered a nasty injury in the first one-dayer, when he missed a pull at a short delivery from Anwar Ali: the ball went through the grille of his old-style helmet and fractured his left eye socket. Luckily, there was no permanent damage.

Match reports for

1st T20I: New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland, Jan 15, 2016
Report | Scorecard

2nd T20I: New Zealand v Pakistan at Hamilton, Jan 17, 2016
Report | Scorecard

3rd T20I: New Zealand v Pakistan at Wellington, Jan 22, 2016
Report | Scorecard

1st ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Wellington, Jan 25, 2016
Report | Scorecard

2nd ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Napier, Jan 28, 2016
Report | Scorecard

3rd ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland, Jan 31, 2016
Report | Scorecard