In the first One Day International (ODI) of the series(NZ vs PAK), which took place at McLean Park in Napier on March 29, 2025(NZ vs PAK), New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 73 runs in a dominant display. With this victory, New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0.
Synopsis of the Match(NZ vs PAK):
- Innings for New Zealand: 344/9 in 50 overs.
- Innings for Pakistan: 44.1 overs, 271 all out.
- The outcome was a 73-run victory for New Zealand.
- Mark Chapman was the player of the match.
Innings for New Zealand:
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell’s record-breaking combination helped New Zealand bounce back from early losses after being sent in to bat by Pakistan.
Top Performers(NZ vs PAK):
- Mark Chapman: 12 fours and 3 sixes in 132 runs off 111 balls.
- Daryl Mitchell: 5 fours, 1 six, 76 runs off 92 balls.
- Muhammad Abbas: Abbas became the fastest player to reach fifty in twenty-four balls on his ODI debut, scoring a quick fifty-two off just twenty-four balls.
- New Zealand was saved from a dangerous situation and consequently advanced to a daunting total due to the Chapman-Mitchell combination of 199 runs for the fourth wicket.
Key Features of Pakistan’s Bowling:
- Mohammad Irfan: 10 overs, 3 Wickets, 51 runs.
- Haris Rauf: 10 overs, 2 Wickets, 67 runs.
Batting performance for Pakistan:
Pakistan, pursuing a target of 345, began well; however, they faltered after losing key batsmen.
Top Performers:
- Babar Azam: 7 fours and 2 sixes in 78 runs off 85 balls.
- Agha Salman: 4 fours, 1 six, 58 runs off 63 balls.
- Usman Khan: 5 fours and 1 six in 39 runs off 33 balls.
- Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled despite their efforts; consequently, they were dismissed for 271 in 44.1 overs.
- Highlights of Bowling in New Zealand:
- Nathan Smith: 60 runs in 9 overs with 4 wickets.
- Matt Henry: 48 runs in 8.1 overs with 2 wickets.
- For detailed match stats, visit ESPN Cricinfo
Key Aspects(NZ vs PAK):
- The era of Mark Chapman: Chapman’s 132 marked his top score in ODIs and played a vital role in New Zealand’s recovery and ultimate dominance.
- The fastest half-century by a debutant in ODIs was set by Muhammad Abbas, who scored his initial fifty in 24 balls.
- Nathan Smith’s bowling: In the pursuit, Smith’s four-wicket performance consequently dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.