Amir's two wickets on Pakistan comeback help sink NZ

Amir, who's come out of retirement with his eyes set on the T20 World Cup in June, took 2-13 on Saturday while his fellow pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-13) and Naseem Shah (1-27) also helped sink a depleted New Zealand side, who slumped to their second lowest T20 total against Pakistan.

Mohammad Rizwan then led Pakistan to 3-92 in just 12.1 overs with an unbeaten 45 off 34 balls as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series 1-0 following the first-game washout.

"It's crucial to set the tone in the first six overs in Rawalpindi," Pakistan captain Babar Azam said.

"The way Naseem, Shaheen and Amir bowled, it was outstanding. We try to play according to the conditions and execute our plans accordingly. We want to do well in all departments and work on it on a daily basis."

Ben Lister made a spectacular two-handed diving catch off his follow through to dismiss Saim Ayub on four off the second ball of Pakistan's chase.

Babar then struck three boundaries in his 14 before New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell got him stumped off a quicker delivery inside the batting power play.

Usman Khan, back after being banned by the Emirates Cricket Board for five years for switching his allegiance to his country of birth, got a big inside edge and was bowled by Ish Sodhi for seven at 3-56.

But Rizwan and Irfan Khan (18no) guided Pakistan home.

In the absence of nine frontline players at the Indian Premier League, New Zealand struggled to cope with Pakistan's experienced attack, with Mark Chapman top-scoring on 19.

Amir took the pace off off his second delivery to Tim Robinson, who got the toe end of the bat and was caught at short cover in the second over.

New Zealand then slipped to 3-35 inside the power play while legspinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan finished with identical figures of 2-15 as they strangled the middle order with some sharp deliveries.

Afridi wrapped up the innings with his searing yorkers just after New Zealand passed their previous lowest T20 total of 80 against Pakistan in 2010 at Christchurch.

"We didn't score quite enough runs," Bracewell said.

"We were a little bit slow to adapt to the surface and put ourselves under pressure in the end. We got a game tomorrow and we need to learn quickly. We pride ourselves in fighting right 'til the end and we did that with the ball and in the field."

Rawalpindi will host the third game on Sunday, before the series moves to Lahore for the remaining games on April 25 and 27.

Australian Associated Press