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Amir wins praise following return

The Pakistan paceman was impressive in his return to international cricket

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis says pace bowler Mohammad Amir will only improve after making a sound return to international cricket in the first Twenty20 against New Zealand.

Amir bowled with purpose and decent pace, taking 1-31 off four overs in the tourists' 16-run win at Eden Park on Friday.

It was the left-armer's first international since serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing - a stint which included a jail sentence.

He needed to be granted a visa by Immigration New Zealand to tour but immediately showed glimpses of the form which had him touted as an enormous talent when he debuted for Pakistan as a teenager.

Amir's participation had been the cause of consternation among some players past and present but Waqar - a former Pakistan pace bowling great - was happy with the display.

"I thought he bowled pretty OK. He'll get better and better," Waqar said.

Quick Single: Amir makes winning international return

"Twenty20 is a tough game, it moves so fast. It's difficult to expect certain things from some bowlers.

"I'm expecting Amir to give breakthroughs with the new ball. He's got the capability."

The 23-year-old bowled a wide with the first ball of the New Zealand innings.

He later claimed the wicket of tailender Matt Henry, caught by captain Shahid Afridi, who dropped a simple chance off the bowler earlier in the innings.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's middle order batting lacked poise and purpose in their opening Twenty20 loss to Pakistan says coach Mike Hesson.

Ducks to Corey Anderson, Mitchell Santner and Luke Ronchi proved fatal for the Black Caps in their 16-run defeat at Eden Park on Friday.

Grant Elliott and Todd Astle also departed cheaply as New Zealand were dismissed for 155 in pursuit of Pakistan's 171-8.

It left a lop-sided scoreboard, with opener Kane Williamson's 70 and in-form Colin Munro's 56 off 27 balls having earlier threatened to steer the hosts home.

Hesson says there are important lessons to learn heading into Sunday's second game at Hamilton.

"The way Colin played he certainly got us to a point where we were in a position to win.

"But once he got out there was some poor decisions made under pressure and that is something we're obviously going to need to rectify.

"We need to be more clinical through the middle and with our decision-making."