Daryl Mitchell has shone for New Zealand however Fakhar Zaman eclipsed him, smashing his ninth ODI century to energy Pakistan to a five-wicket victory within the first one-day worldwide.
The left-handed opener Fakhar made 117 off 114 balls and guided Pakistan to 5-291 with greater than an over to spare on Thursday for a 1-0 lead within the five-match collection.
Fakhar’s opening companion Imam-ul-Haq laid the stable basis of the run-chase by scoring 60 in a century opening stand and captain Babar Azam additionally notched 49 on a gradual wicket.
Earlier, quick bowler Naseem Shah (2-29) had bowled brilliantly each with the brand new and outdated ball to restrict New Zealand at 7-288 regardless of Mitchell hitting a career-best 113 off 115 balls after Babar had elected to subject.
Will Young, opening for the primary time for the Black Caps in his quick ODI profession, made an aggressive 86 off 78 balls as he placed on 102 with Mitchell after surviving Naseem’s early seam and swing.
Mitchell escaped early in his good knock when, on 23, part-time spinner Agha Salman could not maintain onto a pointy return catch.
Young hit eight fours and two sixes earlier than he lastly holed out at long-off after legspinner Shadab Khan (1-56) gave Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough within the twenty seventh over.
Mitchell, nevertheless, continued to dominate, elevating his second ODI century with a straight pushed boundary in opposition to Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-63) earlier than Pakistan’s pacemen pegged again New Zealand within the loss of life overs.
Mark Chapman, retained for the ODIs after his good batting kind within the drawn T20 collection, could not pressure the acceleration as he bought bowled for 15 trying a ramp shot in opposition to Haris Rauf (2-65).
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 claimed two wickets off the ultimate two deliveries as Pakistan allowed New Zealand solely 37 runs within the final 5.
Fakhar survived a troublesome likelihood within the first over when Latham could not 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, then could not hassle the left-handers — Fakhar and Imam — with their second-string tempo assault because the pair placed on 124.
Ish Sodhi finally had Imam trapped lbw with a pointy turner however Fakhar reached his ton off 99 balls earlier than he mistimed a slog sweep in opposition to the left-arm spin of Rachin Ravindra.
New Zealand hit again late when Adam Milne (2-60) eliminated Babar and Shan Masood (1) in successive overs, however Mohammad Rizwan took Pakistan dwelling with a brisk unbeaten 42 off 36 balls.
“The way Pakistan played was superb,” Latham conceded.
“We couldn’t make any inroads. The wicket got harder but the two partnerships up top from Pakistan made the difference.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
