Fakhar Zaman steals the show as Pakistan outclass Kiwis in first ODI

Mitchell scored 113 runs, Young played innings of 86 runs (Image: ICC)

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan on Thursday delivered a comprehensive victory against New Zealand with Fakhar Zaman's century in the first one-day International (ODI) thus getting a lead by 1-0 in five-match home series. New Zealand while batting first scored 288 runs and Pakistan achieved the target in 48.3 overs with five wickets remaining.

 

Fakhar Zaman played a magnificent innings of 117 runs while Babar Azam fell one run short of his fifty and got out after scoring 49 runs whereas Imam-ul-haq was also notable with innings of 60 runs. Muhammad Rizwan remained unbeatable with 49 runs on his scorecard.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell's 113 off 115 balls, studded with 11 fours and a six, and Will Young's 86 off 78 balls took guests to a total of 288 runs against Pakistan in the first One-Day International (ODI) being played at Pindi Cricket stadium.

 

Mitchell was caught at deep mid-wicket by Fakhar Zaman on Shaheen Shah's delivery in the match's 46th over. 

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 27, 2023

Will Young played the second-most contributing innings to the Kiwis' good total. He scored 86 runs with eight fours and two sixes and was caught at the fence by Haris Rauf while attempting to hit another six at Shadab Khan's ball. Any other NZ batter could not post a noticeable score. 

Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah, remaining uninfluenced by the grand total, took two wickets - that too in the last over - off 29 runs in 10 overs. On the other hand, pacers Shaheen Afrdi and Haris Rauf ended their bowling haul with two wickets each while giving 63 and 65 runs respectively.  Spinner Shadab Khan got one wicket off 56 runs in 10 overs.

— ICC (@ICC) April 27, 2023

Pakistan had won the toss and decided to bowl first against New Zealand in the first of the five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium today (Thursday). The match started at 3:30pm.

The two sides entered the series after an exciting five-match T20 International series that ended in a 2-2 draw on Monday. That well-fought series promises equally competitive and exciting five matches for which both the sides have added a player each. Pakistan have added wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris and New Zealand has included Mark Chapman, whose extraordinary batting efforts in the T20Is earned him player of the series award.

The Pindi will also host the second ODI on Saturday, before the two teams will fly south for the remaining three matches in Karachi.

The series will also see the return of Chris Broad to Pakistan for the first time in 14 years. The former England opener and member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees will referee in all the five ODIs with umpiring responsibilities to be shared between Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi, Joel Wilson, Langton Rusere and Rashid Riaz.

Squads:

Pakistan - Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir

New Zealand - Tom Latham (captain), Adam Milne, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner, Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell and Will Young