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NAPIER: A commanding century from Mark Chapman, coupled with Nathan Smith’s four-wicket haul, powered New Zealand to a convincing 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series here at McLean Park on Saturday.
Chasing a daunting 345-run target, Pakistan faltered under the pressure of New Zealand’s pace attack, folding for 271 in 44.1 overs.
Pakistan’s chase began on a promising note as debutant Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafique put together a brisk 83-run opening stand.
Both batters looked aggressive, setting a solid platform before Nathan Smith broke the partnership in the 13th over, removing Usman for 39. Skipper Michael Bracewell then dismissed Abdullah for 36 in the 16th over, reducing Pakistan to 88-2.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to rebuild with a 76-run partnership, keeping hopes alive. However, debutant Muhammad Abbas struck in the 29th over to dismiss Rizwan for 30, leaving Pakistan at 164-3.
Babar, showing his trademark composure, anchored the innings with Salman Ali Agha in an 89-run stand.
The former captain reached his 36th ODI fifty, scoring a fluent 78, but his dismissal in the 39th over to Will O’Rourke tilted the momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favor.
Pakistan’s collapse began soon after as Tayyab Tahir was run out in the 40th over, followed by a golden duck for Irfan Khan Niazi.
Smith then returned to clean up the tail, dismissing Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf in the 43rd over.
Salman held on to his end for a well-fought 58 before falling prey to Jacob Duffy, while Smith dismissed Akif Javed to wrap things up, as Pakistan fell short by a significant margin.
Smith was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, finishing with 4-60 in 8.1 overs. Duffy took two wickets, while Bracewell, Abbas, and O’Rourke chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, New Zealand, after being put into bat by Pakistan, suffered early blows. Debutant Akif Javed made an instant impact, dismissing Will Young for 1 in the third over before removing Nick Kelly (15) and Henry Nicholls (11), reducing the hosts to 50-3 in 12.4 overs.
However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell then turned the tide, counterattacking with a crucial 100-run partnership. Chapman played the aggressor, reaching his second ODI century in the 38th over with a flurry of boundaries, smashing 11 fours and four sixes.
Mitchell played a supporting role with a well-crafted 76 before falling to Irfan Niazi. Their 199-run stand had already placed New Zealand in a commanding position by then.
Chapman’s career-best 132 powered the hosts towards a massive total before Haris Rauf and Niazi picked up late wickets to dent the lower order.
But a blistering 50 off just 24 balls from debutant Muhammad Abbas ensured New Zealand crossed the 300-run mark with ease.
Pakistan’s bowlers had their moments, with Niazi finishing as the most successful bowler (3-51), while Rauf and Akif Javed picked up two wickets each. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali grabbed one apiece.
