New Zealand won the toss and sent England in to bat first on a tricky pitch at the Hagley Oval on Saturday.
The English team got off to a shaky start and soon lost opener Phil Salt in the second over and Jacob Bethel during the fourth over of Powerplay to leave them at 29/2.
Tom Banton was the next to fall, caught by James Neesham off the bowling of Mitchell Santner to leave England at 75/4 halfway through their innings
Captain Harry Brook and opener Jos Buttler looked to steady the ship before James Neesham bowled out the skipper after making a brisk 20 runs off 14 balls, including two sixes.
The wicket brought Sam Curran to the crease as the home side tried to consolidate and complete their allotted overs and give the English bowlers a decent total to protect.
Tim Robinson dropped a sitter in the final ball of the 18th over after Sam Curran (on 27) sliced his drive straight to the fielder with the score on 127/6.
Curran went on maximise his second chance and added 22 runs to his total (49 not out) to take the home side to 153/6 at the end of the first innings.
Unfortunately, rain halted play ahead of the second innings with the match eventually being abandoned without another ball being bowled.
The two sides will meet in the second T20I on Monday at the same venue with the series score tied at 0-0.
The Proteas Women have secured a spot in the ICC Women's World Cup semifinals after the game between New Zealand and Pakistan was abandoned because of rain in Colombo.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has signed a new four-year contract at Everton until the end of June, 2029.
England seamer Mark Wood is feeling positive about an Ashes rekindling after a difficult period on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Manchester City are reportedly considering a summer move for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has also been linked with Chelsea.
