KARACHI: Young pacer Naseem Shah rattled New Zealand’s batting line-up with a five-wicket haul before wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan to a six-wicket triumph with an unbeaten knock of 77 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand.
Set to chase a regulation 256, Pakistan sailed through in the 49th over at the back of half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman, captain Babar and Rizwan.
The hosts had an unwanted start to the run chase as they lost their in-form opening batter Imam-ul-Haq cheaply in just the sixth over. The second-ranked batter could score 11 off 14.
Following the early setback, top-ranked batter Babar stood up for his team and stitched a vital second-wicket partnership with Fakhar.
The duo neutralized the shaky start as they added 78 amid their stand while Fakhar amassed his 16th ODI half-century.
The left-handed batter, however, could not stretch his knock further and was castled by Michael Bracewell after scoring 56 off 74 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries.
Babar then joined hands with Rizwan and added 60 runs in another important partnership for his side and soon brought up his 23rd ODI half-century to carry his exceptional form.
But the top-ranked batter was unable to convert his fifty into a century as he was stumped off Bracewell’s clever delivery outside leg. He scored 66 off 82 deliveries including five boundaries and a six.
Making his return to ODI cricket after a gap of more than two years, Haris Sohail did not take much time to settle down and played an integral role in accelerating Pakistan’s march towards the target.
The left-handed batter scored a brisk 32 off 23 deliveries before falling to Tim Southee as his fourth-wicket partnership witnessed him and Rizwan adding 54 runs in 51 deliveries.
Sohail’s dismissal did not halt Pakistan’s pursuit much as Rizwan continued to score freely and was supported well by Salman Ali Agha – who scored 13 off 10 – to lead Pakistan to a swift six-wicket victory.
The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored for his side with an unbeaten 77 off 86 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and a six.
Following the triumph, the Green Shirts have now won nine consecutive ODI matches.
Batting first, on the invitation of Pakistan captain Babar Azam, New Zealand could manage to amass 255/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
The touring side had a dismal start to their innings as they lost opening batter Devon Conway for a golden duck in the first over.
Following the early setback, young opener Finn Allen attempted to launch a counter-attack on Pakistan pacers as he looked to accelerate his innings before Mohammad Wasim Jr struck to bring an end to his courageous 29-run knock.
Skipper Kane Williamson then started the recovery for his side with Daryl Mitchell and added 32 runs for the third wicket before debutant Usama Mir cleaned up the former with a stunning delivery.
Following the captain’s dismissal, Mitchell stitched a gritty 76-run partnership with Tom Latham and frustrated Pakistan bowlers as they batted for over 12 overs.
The fourth-wicket partnership began to threaten the hosts as both Mitchell and Latham had settled down but Nawaz delivered a perfect Jaffa to castle Mitchell, who could score 36 off 55 deliveries.
The hosts then enjoyed another success in the form of Latham’s wicket while Usama celebrated his second ODI wicket. The wicketkeeper-batter remained the second top-scorer for his side with a 52-ball 42, laced with three boundaries.
Following the slump, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell stood up for their team and stitched a vital 76-run partnership to bring their side back in the game.
The duo appeared solid and was eyeing to accelerate late in the innings before Phillips mistimed a lofted shot and saw the end of his fighting knock. He could score 37 off 53 deliveries with the help of one boundary and a six.
After removing Phillips, Naseem ran through the lower order as he removed Bracewell and debutant Henry Shipley in consecutive deliveries.
Bracewell top-scored for New Zealand with a gritty 43 off 42 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and a six.
With their side struggling at 220/8 in the 46th over, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee added crucial 31 runs amid their ninth-wicket partnership before Naseem outdid Santner with a slower delivery to complete his second five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Besides Naseem’s five-for, debutant Usama impressed with two wickets for just 42 runs, while Nawaz and Wasim Jr struck out a batter each.
