Pakistan create history in Dunedin with brilliant T20I victory
Before meeting in the series opener at the University Oval ground, Pakistan had faced New Zealand on eight occasions and lost all their encounters.
White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine called it right at the toss and elected to bat first. New Zealand seemed to be heading towards a solid total at the back of a steady start from Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Suzie Bates before Sana entered the picture.
The medium-pacer ran through the New Zealand top-order and eked out three crucial wickets. Her 3/18 slowed the scoring rate, and New Zealand ended with just 127/6.
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A patient start between Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar helped Pakistan reach 40 runs by the ninth over before the former fell to Sophie Devine.
Skipper Nida Dar added intent with her positive stroke play, which Zulfiqar matched.
A total of 51 runs were added from merely 26 balls as Pakistan went on to win the match by seven wickets.
Sana's 3/18 was her best figures in T20I cricket, while youngster Zulfiqar contributed a career-best 41 during the contest.
The second T20I between the two sides will take place on 5 December in Dunedin.