NAPIER: On Saturday, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 73 runs in the series opener at McLean Park, Napier.
Pakistan was bowled out for 271. The team lost its last four wickets in just two overs.
The openers gave Pakistan a strong start, scoring over 60 runs without loss in the first Powerplay. However, both fell quickly, putting pressure on the team.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan built a crucial partnership to steady the innings. Salman Agha then joined with positive intent, playing aggressive shots.
Babar and Agha scored well-crafted fifties and kept up with the required rate. The game turned when Babar fell for 78.
After his dismissal, the chase collapsed. Agha fought hard but received little support from the lower order.
Babar Azam has accelerated his innings after reaching fifty to counter the rising run rate in a 345-run chase. After early strikes, Babar and the skipper built the innings. The captain was bowled out for 30 off 34 balls.
After Rizwan’s departure, Babar and Salman Agha rebuilt the innings.
Earlier, New Zeland set a 345-run target for the visitors.
Despite Pakistan’s early breakthroughs, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell steadied New Zealand’s innings with a vital 100-run partnership, shifting the momentum.
Chapman reached his third ODI century in the 38th over, smashing 11 fours and four sixes. Mitchell followed with a blistering hundred off 74 balls, powering New Zealand to a strong total.
Irfan Niazi finally broke their record 199-run stand, dismissing Mitchell for 76 off 84 balls. Chapman kept attacking, pushing New Zealand past 300 before falling for a career-best 132 off 111 balls at 280/5 in 43.3 overs.
Haris Rauf struck twice in the 46th over, removing skipper Michael Bracewell (9) and Mitchell Hay (0). Niazi picked up his third wicket, dismissing Nathan Smith for 2.
Debutant Mohammad Abbas provided late fireworks, smashing a maiden ODI fifty off just 24 balls with three fours and three sixes. His knock helped New Zealand post a competitive 344/9.
For Pakistan, Niazi led the bowling with three wickets. Rauf and Akif Javed took two each, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali grabbed one apiece. The visitors now face a stiff challenge to chase the target and level the series.
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Nick Kelly, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (C), Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (WK), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, William ORourke
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed
