Napier, March 29, 2025: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged his team’s shortcomings following their 73-run defeat to New Zealand in the first ODI at McLean Park on Saturday.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rizwan reflected on Pakistan’s performance, emphasizing both positives and areas for improvement.
“We started well in the chase, playing with good intent and executing the essentials. But as the pressure mounted, we lost momentum in those critical three to four overs,” he said.
Rizwan commended his bowlers for their strong start, saying they adapted well to the conditions.
“Our bowlers were fantastic early on. They read the conditions well and executed their plans effectively. Choosing to bowl first was the right call, but credit to Chapman—he played brilliantly and helped New Zealand set a tough total. We need to improve on capitalizing on key chances.”
With three new players in the lineup, Rizwan highlighted the importance of exposure in foreign conditions.
“Having three debutants today was great for their development. Playing in New Zealand’s conditions is a valuable learning experience for them.”
Despite the setback, Rizwan remained optimistic about the upcoming games.
“The result wasn’t what we wanted, but we have two more matches to bounce back. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Pakistan will now look to level the series in the second ODI, with Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha’s performances among the key takeaways from the opener.
