New Zealand dominate Pakistan with a 73-run victory in the opening ODI
NAPIER: New Zealand claimed a commanding 73-run victory over Pakistan in the opening ODI at McLean Park on Saturday, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a daunting target of 345, Pakistan started positively as debutant Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafique stitched together an 83-run opening partnership. Both openers played aggressively, providing a solid start.
The breakthrough came in the 13th over when Nathan Smith dismissed Usman for 39. Skipper Michael Bracewell then removed Abdullah for 36 in the 16th over, reducing Pakistan to 88-2.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the innings with a 76-run stand, keeping Pakistan in contention. However, debutant Muhammad Abbas struck in the 29th over, dismissing Rizwan for 30 and leaving Pakistan at 164-3.
Babar, determined to anchor the chase, partnered with Salman Ali Agha for another vital 89-run stand. The former captain played fluently, reaching his 36th ODI half-century before falling to Will O’Rourke for 78 in the 39th over, shifting the momentum back to New Zealand.
Pakistan’s innings fell apart after Babar’s departure. Tayyab Tahir was run out in the 40th over, and Irfan Khan Niazi was dismissed for a golden duck, leaving the visitors struggling at 253-6.
Smith continued to impress, dismissing Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf in the 43rd over, while Jacob Duffy accounted for Salman Ali Agha, who scored a hard-fought 58. Akif Javed was the last wicket to fall as Pakistan were bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.
Smith was the standout bowler with figures of 4-60 in 8.1 overs, while Duffy took two wickets. Bracewell, Abbas, and O’Rourke claimed one wicket each, sealing a dominant win for New Zealand.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand faced early trouble. Akif Javed struck in the third over, removing Will Young for 1. He then dismissed Nick Kelly for 15 and Henry Nicholls for 11, reducing the hosts to 50-3 in 12.4 overs.
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell revived the innings with a crucial 100-run partnership. Chapman’s aggressive approach saw him register his third ODI century in the 38th over, hammering 11 fours and four sixes.
Mitchell played a supporting role, scoring a composed 76 before falling to Irfan Niazi. Their record-breaking 199-run stand put New Zealand in a commanding position.
Chapman eventually departed for a career-best 132, while late strikes from Haris Rauf and Niazi dented the lower order. However, debutant Mohammad Abbas’ blistering 50 off 24 balls powered New Zealand past 300.
Pakistan’s bowling was led by Niazi (3-51), with Rauf and Akif taking two wickets each, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali claimed one apiece.
Pakistan playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed.
New Zealand playing XI: Nick Kelly, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (c), Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (w), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, William O’Rourke.
