PAK VS NZ 1ST ODI

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. We meet again on 29th April for the second ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand. The first ball will be at 4 pm IST (10.30 am GMT), but you can join us much sooner for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Babar Azam, the victorious skipper says that he is grateful to god that Pakistan has won its 500th ODI match. He adds that he would like to thank the fast bowlers as they restricted the opponents to a below-par score as they looked well on course to score 320 but to restrict them to under 290 was sensational. He also adds that special appreciation to Naseem Shah as he bowled amazingly and pinned the opponent batters down, and when the team came out to bat the openers made the job easier for the rest with a brilliant knock at the top.

Tom Latham, the captain of New Zealand says that the score they got was around par. States that at the halfway mark they were happy with what they had on the board. Informs that Pakistan took the game away from them with two huge partnerships up top. Mentions if they could've taken early wickets then things could've been different.

Fakhar Zaman wins the Player of the Match for his ton. He says the plan in the beginning was to play as long as they can but luckily they were getting runs as well. He adds that he is feeling really confident and the team has decided that one out of top three has to bat till 40th over and luckily it was him who did that today and saw the team home.

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Earlier in the innings, New Zealand could only get around the par score after being put into bat. Will Young set the tone with his 86. Although, it was Daryl Mitchell who stole the show with the blade, with his ton coming up the order at number 3. If not for these two the Kiwis could've been well under par. It was Naseem Shah who stood out with the ball for the hosts. Eventually, it did not prove to be enough to stop this lethal batting rank of Pakistan.

New Zealand needed some early wickets to put the opposition on the back foot, but it did not go as they would've envisioned. Tom Latham stuck with his seamers for the entire Powerplay 1, and to be honest, they took a beating with the new ball. Eventually at the end of 20 overs, Pakistan had their noses in front, as New Zealand could not break the opening stand. Then somehow, change of ends for Ish Sodhi helped the Kiwis to get rid of Imam-ul-Haq, but they could not capitalise on this breakthrough, which eventually costed them the game.

Chasing 289 on this batting paradise, never put the hosts under pressure during any period of the chase. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq set the tone with the opening stand of 124 runs, both the batters racked up their half-centuries. Only, Zaman went on to convert it into a three-digit score. He was well supported by Babar Azam. Before Mohammad Rizwan came out and played a sensible knock of 42 runs to get his side over the victory line. Shan Masood though needs to come into his own in the next match. First he had an off day in the field and later, he could not redeem himself with the bat in hand. Other than that, it was a typical Pakistan batting performance where they cruised throughout the chase.

Beginning of a new series brings a similar outcome for Pakistan on this occasion as well, as the hosts take an early lead in this series. They chase down the target of 289 runs with 9 balls to spare. New Zealand will take plenty of positives from this game. The Kiwis fought till the very end, but could not get the better of Rizwan early in the death.

FOUR! Mohammad Rizwan finishes it off with a boundary. Tossed up in middle, Mohammad Rizwan slog sweeps this towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Tossed up in middle, Mohammad Rizwan defends this off the front foot.

Short in length on middle, Mohammad Nawaz pushes this to long on for a single.

On a length in middle, Mohammad Nawaz tucks this to deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Fuller one outside off, Mohammad Nawaz chips this over the mid of fielder for a couple this time.

FOUR! On a length outside off, Mohammad Nawaz lofts this over the mid off fielder for a boundary toward long off. Adam Milne puts in a great effort but couldn't save the boundary.

Fuller one in middle, Mohammad Rizwan pushes this to long on for a single.

Short-pitched delivery around the waist, Mohammad Rizwan pulls this to the fielder at short mid-wicket.