PAK vs NZ: Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets in first ODI
Naseem Shah claimed five wickets, while three Pakistan batters scored a half-century each
Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Monday.
Opting to bowl first, Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 255 runs before chasing down the target in 48.1 overs.
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan scored a half-century each to help Pakistan chase down the target.
After opening batter Imam-ul-Haq (11) departed, skipper Babar and Fakhar Zaman forged a brilliant 78-run partnership for the second wicket to build a strong foundation for the hosts' chase.
Babar scored 66 runs off 82 balls before getting out after a stump, while Fakhar gathered 56 runs before falling to all-rounder Michael Bracewell.
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who was not included in the national Test squad for the two-match series, amassed 76 runs off 86 balls and remained not out.
Meanwhile, Haris Sohail, who returned to the side after three years, also made 32 runs off 23 balls, but he fell to veteran pacer Tim Southee.
For the Kiwis, Bracewell claimed two wickets, while Southee and Glenn Phillips took a scalp each.
Earlier, Naseem Shah claimed his second fifer in ODI cricket as New Zealand set Pakistan a target of 256 runs.
The visitors were restricted to 255-9 in 50 overs in Karachi after Shah bagged figures of 5-57 in 10 overs.
Quite a few New Zealand batters got starts but none of them could go on and make a significant score.
Michael Bracewell top-scored with 43 runs, meanwhile Tom Latham scored 42 runs.
Pakistan's leg-spinner Usama Mir, who claimed 2-42 which included the important scalp of Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson, and New Zealand's pacer Henry Shipley are making their ODI debut during the match.
Before today, the last time these two sides faced off was in the 2019 edition of the 50-over World Cup and it was Babar Azam’s superb unbeaten century that helped Pakistan to a commanding six-wicket victory in Birmingham.
Their previous bilateral series (in 2018 in the UAE) ended in 1-1 as the final match was washed out.
Pakistan have a chance to become the number one ODI team in the world during the series against New Zealand.
If Pakistan whitewash New Zealand 3-0 during the three-match series, they will jump to the number one spot in the rankings with 114 rating points.
The Men in Green are currently in fifth place with 107 rating points. Meanwhile, New Zealand are at the top of the table with 116 rating points.
If Pakistan win the ODIs against New Zealand, it will be their fourth series win in a row.
In their previous three ODI series, Pakistan have defeated Netherlands, West Indies and Australia.
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haris Sohail, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
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