Napier, March 29, 2025: New Zealand secured a commanding 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI at McLean Park, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a formidable target of 345, Pakistan started strong, with debutant Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafique forging an 83-run opening stand. Both batters played aggressively, laying a solid foundation.
However, the breakthrough came in the 13th over when Nathan Smith dismissed Usman for 39. Skipper Michael Bracewell then removed Abdullah for 36 in the 16th over, leaving Pakistan at 88-2.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan stitched a 76-run partnership, keeping Pakistan’s chase alive. But debutant Muhammad Abbas struck in the 29th over, dismissing Rizwan for 30 and reducing Pakistan to 164-3.
Babar continued to anchor the innings, adding 89 runs with Salman Ali Agha. He played a fluent 78-run knock, reaching his 36th ODI fifty, before falling to Will O’Rourke in the 39th over, shifting momentum back to New Zealand.
Pakistan’s innings unraveled after Babar’s dismissal. Tayyab Tahir’s run-out in the 40th over and Irfan Khan Niazi’s golden duck left the visitors struggling at 253-6.
Smith struck again in the 43rd over, removing Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, while Jacob Duffy dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 58. Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.
Smith starred with 4-60 in 8.1 overs, while Duffy grabbed two wickets. Bracewell, Abbas, and O’Rourke chipped in with one each, ensuring New Zealand’s dominant win.
Earlier, after being put into bat, New Zealand faced early setbacks. Akif Javed made an immediate impact, dismissing Will Young for 1 in the third over. He then removed Nick Kelly (15) and Henry Nicholls (11), leaving the hosts reeling at 50-3 in 12.4 overs.
However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell turned the game around with a 199-run partnership.
Chapman’s aggressive knock saw him reach his third ODI century in the 38th over, smashing 11 fours and four sixes on his way to a career-best 132.
Mitchell played the anchor role, scoring a steady 76 before falling to Irfan Niazi.
Despite late strikes by Haris Rauf and Irfan Niazi, debutant Mohammad Abbas’ blistering 50 off 24 balls lifted New Zealand to 344 all out.
Pakistan’s bowling effort was led by Irfan Niazi (3-51), while Haris Rauf and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali grabbed one apiece.
With this victory, New Zealand takes an early lead in the series, while Pakistan will look to bounce back in the second ODI.
