New Zealand beat Pakistan in first ODI by 61 runs
Rain interrupted the match in 31st over.
WELLINGTON (Dunya News) – After New Zealand thrashed Pakistan for 315 runs in their limited quota of 50 overs, the batting line-up of tourists stumbled from the very beginning and Pakistan on Saturday lost the first one-day international (ODI) by 61 runs under the Duckworth Lewis (D/L) Method.
The Green Shirts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam went back to the pavilion in the first over. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik followed them soon and Pakistan were four down in nine overs.
The wicket of Sarfraz Ahmed left Pakistan on 56 for five, and Shadab Khan was the sixth to bite the dust. Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf were present at the crease when rain halted the game. The hosts were declared victorious as the match could not be continued afterwards.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant ton in windy conditions.
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Pakistan Innings
Over 30.1 (Pakistan 166/6)
The play could not be resumed as the rainfall got heavier, and the Kiwis won the first ODI by 61 runs under D/L method.
Over 30.1 (Pakistan 166/6)
Fakhar Zaman (82* off 86) and Faheem Ashraf (17* off 12) were batting in the 31st over when rain interrupted the match and the players went off the field. The Green Shirts required another 150 runs to win in 19.5 overs with four wickets in hand.
Over 27 (Pakistan 132/6)
Shadab Khan (28 off 32) joined Fakhar Zaman and tried to steady the innings. Both batters registered a partnership of 78 runs before Shadab was dismissed by Boult. (Zaman 67* off 78).
Over 16 (Pakistan 56/5)
Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s (8 off 23) form with bat did not improve as well and with his wicket, Pakistan’s half team was back in the dugout on 56 runs. The captain was trapped by Todd Astle. (Zaman 22* off 44).
Over 9 (Pakistan 37/4)
Shaoib Malik (13 off 14) perished in ninth over, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble inside the first 10 overs. Southee claimed his wicket. (Zaman 14* off 24).
Over 4 (Pakistan 17/3)
Mohammad Hafeez (1 off 9) was the third wicket to fall in over number four. He was dismissed by Trent Boult. (Zaman 4* off 9).
Over 1 (Pakistan 7/2)
Opening batsman Azhar Ali’s (6 off 4) comeback to international cricket was not a memorable one as he was dismissed by Tim Southee on the fourth ball of first over. Babar Azam (0 off 1) scored a golden duck and followed Ali to the pavilion on the very next ball. Fakhar Zaman remained not out on zero.
New Zealand Innings
Kane Williamson overcame blustery conditions to score a century and lead New Zealand to an imposing total of 315 for seven in the opening one-day international against Pakistan.
The wind was so strong that by the sixth over the umpires had tired of repeatedly replacing the bails so decided to play without them until the weather calmed.
Williamson remained unruffled throughout as he notched his 10th ODI century before being dismissed for 115 off 117 deliveries.
Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls also chipped in with half centuries with Munro’s whirlwind knock producing 58 off 35 deliveries.
The New Zealand opener is in a rich vein of form after making a hundred and two half-centuries in his team’s three Twenty20 matches against West Indies.
He smacked six fours and two sixes before he edged a good length Hasan Ali delivery to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps.
Martin Guptill briefly lifted the run rate to more than seven an over until he was caught for 48, giving Fakhar Zaman his first ODI wicket.
The bails were returned when the wind died down in the 28th over but came off four overs later when Hasan bowled Ross Taylor for 12.
Tom Latham went for three before Williamson and Nicholls put on 90 in 13.2 overs for the fifth wicket.
After Williamson went, Nicholls followed in the next over for 50.
Hasan claimed Nicholls’ wicket to finish with three for 61 and also took the catch to dismiss Williamson.
With inputs from AFP
