RAWALPINDI: Imperious Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by five wickets in the first match PAK vs NZ ODI series to record the national team’s 500th international win in the 50-Overs format, here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The Green Shirts achieved the milestone in 949 ODI fixtures, becoming the third team after India and Australia to win 500 One-Day international matches.

Surprisingly, the landmark victory came against the side with whom Pakistan played their first limited-overs match back in 1973. On their way to this glaring feat, the Men in Green also won an ODI World Cup in 1992 under the captaincy of Imran Khan.

Out of their 500 ODI wins, Pakistan won 73 against arch-rivals India, 92 matches against Sri Lanka, 63 against West Indies, 57 against New Zealand, 54 against Zimbabwe, 34 against Australia, and 32 against England and Bangladesh each.

The national team has also won six ODIs against Kenya, four against Afghanistan, two against Canada, three against Hong Kong, five against Ireland and three against UAE.

With the win, Pakistan scripted a winning start to the five-match series against the visitors thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s magnificent century.

The left-hander scored 117 in 114 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries and a six to steer Pakistan into command.

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, besides skipper Babar and wicket-keeper batter Rizwan also chipping with useful contributions.

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.

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