New Zealand dominated Pakistan in the first match of the three-match ODI series, securing a convincing 73-run victory in Napier. Despite a determined effort from Babar Azam, Pakistan failed to chase down the massive 345-run target, allowing the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand’s Strong Batting Performance
After Pakistan’s captain, Muhammad Rizwan, won the toss and opted to field first, the Kiwis capitalized on their home advantage. New Zealand posted a formidable 344/9 in 50 overs, thanks to an exceptional innings from Mark Chapman, who played a stunning knock of 132 runs.
Key contributions from other New Zealand batters:
- Rachin Ravindra: 54 off 47 balls
- Finn Allen: 42 off 35 balls
- Daryl Mitchell: 38 off 41 balls
Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to contain the onslaught. Irfan Khan led the attack with 3 wickets, while Haris Rauf and Akif Javed took 2 wickets each. Naseem Shah and Muhammad Ali chipped in with one wicket each.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Run Chase
Chasing a daunting 345-run target, Pakistan’s opening pair of Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan failed to provide the strong start needed.
- Usman Khan scored 39 runs before falling to the Kiwi bowlers.
- Abdullah Shafiq contributed 36 runs but couldn’t anchor the innings.
- Captain Muhammad Rizwan was dismissed for just 30 runs, leaving Pakistan in a vulnerable position early on.
Babar Azam’s Lone Battle
Despite the early setbacks, Babar Azam fought valiantly, displaying his trademark class with a 78-run knock off 83 balls. However, his dismissal shattered Pakistan’s hopes of a successful chase.
Following Babar’s departure, the rest of the batting lineup collapsed:
- Tayyab Tahir – 1 run
- Irfan Khan – 0 runs
- Naseem Shah – 0 runs
- Haris Rauf – 1 run
- Akif Javed – 1 run
- Muhammad Ali – 0 runs
Pakistan was bowled out for 271 in just 44 overs, falling 73 runs short of the target.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Mark Chapman’s masterclass powered New Zealand to a strong total.
- Pakistan’s bowling attack failed to contain New Zealand’s aggressive batting.
- Babar Azam’s lone resistance wasn’t enough to save Pakistan from a crushing defeat.
- Pakistan’s middle and lower order collapsed, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency.
Pakistan’s Debutants in the Match
The match saw three newcomers making their ODI debut for Pakistan:
- Akif Javed
- Muhammad Ali
- Usman Khan
Despite the loss, the young players showed promise, and the team will look to bounce back in the next game.
Pakistan in Trouble After T20 Defeat
This defeat comes after New Zealand’s 4-1 victory over Pakistan in the recently concluded five-match T20I series. The Men in Green now face an uphill task of making a comeback in the remaining ODIs.
Pakistan must regroup quickly and address their batting concerns ahead of the second ODI. With the series at stake, the team will need a collective effort to level the series.
Will Pakistan bounce back in the next game, or will New Zealand continue their dominance? The second ODI promises to be a high-stakes battle as Pakistan fights to stay alive in the series.
