New Zealand on Thursday set 289 runs target for Pakistan in the first one-day international (ODI) of five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Ground in Rawalpindi
Daryl Mitchell carried the momentum so well for visitors as they posted 288-7 in 50 overs. Mitchell alongside Will Young built a solid partnership after New Zealand lost their opener Chad Bowes (18) in the 10th over. The visitors were 48-1 when Mitchell and Young joined hands to rescue their team.
A 102-run partnership off 101 balls helped Kiwis put their strong case in the ODI series opener. The highlighting partnership put Pakistani bowlers under immense pressure but they made a solid comeback.
Naseem Shah, who bowled a brilliant first spell, couldn’t find his first wicket but Shaheen Shah Af-ridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan pulled off a decent show with the ball.
Young fell to Shadab after scoring 86 runs laced with eight boundaries and two maximums. But, Mitchell kept going and partnered with skipper Tom Latham for another worthy partnership. They both scored 72 runs together before Shaheen got rid of Latham (20).
Shaheen also bagged Mitchell in last part of the innings after the right-hander already did the job for his team. He scored 113 runs including 11 bounda-ries and a maximum.
Naseem also took two back-to-back wickets to finish his dominating spell of 10 overs. He conceded just 29 runs and took two wickets for Pakistan.
Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first against Kiwis in the first of the five-match ODI series at the Pindi Cricket Ground.
The Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.
Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zea-land adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.
Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.
But New Zealand boast recent dominance over Pakistan. Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.
The other matches of the current series are in Rawalpindi on Saturday followed by Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.—Agencies
