In first ODI played at Rawalpindi Stadium on Thursday, pride of Team Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman scored his 9th ODI century to defeat New Zealand by 5 wickets. In five-match series, Pakistan has gained a one-zero lead. Highlight of match was that Babar Azam became sixth fastest player to score 12,000 while Pakistan became third country to score 500 ODIs.
Pakistan’s batting
Team Pakistan got off to a great start with their opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Imamul Haq, both scoring their seventh opening partnership centuries.
The opening pair added 124 runs in the opening wicket partnership. On this occasion, Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed by Ash Sodhi after scoring 60 runs.
Captain Babar Azam supported Fakhar Zaman well and the duo added 90 runs to the score, but Babar Azam failed to make his half-century by one run.
Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, stood his ground in front of the New Zealand bowlers and managed to score his ninth ODI century, getting out after scoring 117 runs.
Shan Masood (1) and Salman Ali Agha (7) returned to the pavilion after scoring runs, Pakistan’s fifth wicket fell for 273 runs.
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan stood firm. He scored 42 runs off 34 balls and was not out. In this way, Pakistan achieved the target of 289 runs in 49.3 overs.
The second ODI will be played on Saturday, April 29 as Pakistan look for the top position in the ODI rankings with a whitewash.
New Zealand’s batting
In the first one-day international being played at the Rawalpindi Stadium, the visiting team New Zealand has given Pakistan a target of 289 runs to win thanks to Daryl Mitchell’s brilliant century. Daryl Mitchell has scored the second century of his ODI career today.
The Pakistani team captain won the toss and decided to field first and New Zealand’s opening pair added 48 runs for the first wicket partnership, with Chad Bose getting out for 18 off Haris Rauf.
A century partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell for the second wicket cemented New Zealand’s position.
After scoring 86 runs, Will Young fell victim to Shadab Khan and fell short of his second ODI century by just 14 runs.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham managed just 20 runs from 36 balls and was left lbw by Shaheen Shah Afridi. On this occasion, the visiting team had 222 runs.
New Zealand’s T20 series hero Mark Chapman was bowled by Haris Rauf for 15 runs but Daryl Mitchell completed his century.
On behalf of Pakistan, fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf dismissed two players each while Shadab Khan took one wicket.
Team Pakistan
Team Pakistan is captained by Babar Azam, while other players include Imamul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Team New Zealand
New Zealand’s playing XI includes Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Mark Chapman, Mark Chapman, Rondra Richan and Henry Nicholls.