Hamilton Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura ensured Zimbabwe posted a competitive 8-159 batting first in the opening Twenty20 match against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

Masakadza blasted 53 off 36 balls at the top of the innings and Chigumbura finished off at the tail end with 48 off 24 deliveries to contribute the bulk of the Zimbabwe runs.

It has been a horror tour for Zimbabwe after being thrashed in the one-off Test and three one-day internationals, and their Twenty20 campaign seemed to be heading in the same direction with the loss of two early wickets.

Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe’s captain and leading batsman, was bowled by New Zealand debutant Michael Bates for three in the second over and Forster Mutizwa followed in the next over without scoring.

At 2-16 after three overs the situation did not look good for the tourists but Masakadza refused to be bowed.

With Tatenda Taibu holding up the other end, the powerful hitter launched into the New Zealand attack and belted three sixes and three fours before he mistimed an attempted fourth six and was caught on the midwicket boundary.

Chigumbura provided highlights at the death with his whirlwind 48, which included three fours and four sixes, before he was caught at long-off after hitting two consecutive sixes in the final over.

The final over cost Bates 15 runs but he still finished his first international bowling spell with an impressive 3-31 while Kyle Mills took 2-32.