RAWALPINDI: Dominant Pakistan put on an all-round show to storm past New Zealand in the first PAK vs NZ ODI and scripted a winning start to the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
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The first PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series was played here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to bowl first after the coin flipped in his favour. New Zealand, batting first, put up a decent total on the scoreboard at the back of a brilliant century and half-century by Daryl Mitchell and Will Young respectively.
Mitchell smashed 11 boundaries and a six on his way to top score for New Zealand with a 115-ball 113.
On the other hand, Young scored 86 off just 78 deliveries, laced up with eight boundaries and two sixes.
The target set by New Zealand eventually proved insufficient for their bowlers to defend at the back of resounding knocks by their openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq.
Fakhar Zaman continued his magnificent form to score his second-consecutive century and top-scored for Pakistan in the run chase.
He piled up 117 runs in a mere 114 balls and smashed 13 boundaries and a six. Whereas Imam scored 60 off 65 with the help of five boundaries and a maximum.
The two sides will now take on each other in the second fixture of the five-match ODI series at the same venue on April 29 before the action shifts to National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, which will host the remaining three ODIs on May 3, 5 and 7.