Fakhar Zaman smashed his ninth ODI century and powered Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over New Zealand within the first one-day worldwide on Thursday.
Fakhar, the left-handed opener, made 117 off 114 balls and guided Pakistan to 291-5 with greater than an over to spare for a 1-0 lead within the five-match collection.
Fakhar’s opening accomplice Imam-ul-Haq laid the strong basis of the run-chase by scoring 60 in a century opening stand and captain Babar Azam additionally notched 49 in a dominant Pakistan run-chase on a gradual wicket.
Earlier, quick bowler Naseem Shah (2-29) bowled brilliantly each with the brand new and outdated ball to restrict New Zealand at 288-7 regardless of Daryl Mitchell hitting a career-best 113 off 115 balls after Babar gained the toss and elected to subject.
“This was a team effort, we wanted to start (the series) well,” Babar mentioned. “Credit goes to the fast bowlers for the way we restricted them in the end. It feels good to see players execute their plans. The way Naseem bowled put the pressure on them and … then the way Fakhar and Imam played, then the innings Fakhar and I built together, was great.”
Will Young, opening for the primary time in his quick ODI profession, grew in confidence and made an aggressive 86 off 78 balls as he raised a 102-run stand with Mitchell after surviving Naseem’s early seam and swing.
Mitchell escaped early in his in any other case sensible knock when on 23 part-time spinner Agha Salman couldn’t maintain onto a pointy return catch. Young hit eight fours and two sixes earlier than he lastly holed out at long-off after leg-spinner Shadab Khan (1-56) switched ends and offered Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough within the twenty seventh over.
Mitchell, nevertheless, continued to dominate each tempo and spin and — regardless of captain Tom Latham laboring for 36 balls for his knock of 20 — added an additional 72 runs for the third-wicket stand.
Mitchell raised his second ODI century with a straight pushed boundary towards Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-63) earlier than Pakistan pegged again the Black Caps within the demise overs via tempo.
Mark Chapman, who was retained for the ODIs after his sensible run of batting kind within the 2-2 drawn T20 collection towards Pakistan, couldn’t pressure acceleration as he tried a ramp shot towards Haris Rauf (2-65) and was clear bowled for 15.
Mitchell, who hit 11 fours and two sixes, was additionally tied down by Naseem in his return spell as boundaries dried up earlier than Afridi lastly had him caught within the deep. Naseem capped an excellent show of quick bowling by claiming two wickets off the ultimate two deliveries as Pakistan allowed New Zealand solely 37 runs within the final 5 overs.
Fakhar survived a tricky likelihood within the first over when Latham couldn’t seize a one-handed catch down the legside. New Zealand, touring with out eight frontline white-ball gamers busy taking part in within the Indian Premier League, couldn’t bother each the left-handers — Fakhar and Imam — with their second string tempo assault because the pair raised 124-run stand.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi broke via when he had Imam trapped leg earlier than wicket off a pointy turning supply earlier than Babar raised one other dominant 90-run partnership with Fakhar.
Fakhar raised his century off 99 balls earlier than he mistimed a slog sweep towards the left-arm spin of Rachin Ravindra and gave a regulation catch at mid-on as New Zealand hit again late when Adam Milne (2-60) eliminated Babar and Shan Masood (1) in successive overs. Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan with a brisk unbeaten 42 off 36 balls as Pakistan romped to victory within the forty ninth over.
“The wicket got harder for new guys, but the way Pakistan played was superb,” Latham mentioned. “We couldn’t make any inroads. It (the wicket) got harder in the end but the two partnerships up top from Pakistan made the difference.”
Rawalpindi will host the second ODI on Saturday whereas Karachi will host the remaining three video games subsequent week.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com