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NAPIER: New Zealand held their nerves to beat Pakistan by 73 runs in the first one-day international played in Napier on Saturday.
Babar Azam and Salman Agha played an important part in Pakistan’s chase but the visitors were all out in 45th over when the team’s total was 271 runs.
Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Nathan Smith claimed four wickets Saturday as New Zealand eased to a 73-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Napier.
Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of an imposing 344-9 at McLean Park before Pakistan’s promising chase capitulated to be all out for 271 in the 45th over.
The tourists looked on track at 249-3, at that point needing 96 runs to win, with more than 11 overs remaining.
However, seamer Smith (4-60) helped to spark a late collapse, with the last seven wickets falling for 22 runs.
Earlier, the recalled Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 off 83 balls.
Salman Agha struck a defiant 58 off 48 but he was let down by a series of loose shots from lower order teammates as New Zealand moved one-up in the three-match series.
Chapman’s 111-ball innings featured 13 fours and four sixes, lifting New Zealand out of early trouble after they were asked to bat and stuttered to 50-3.
The left-hander put on 199 for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell (76 off 84) before the home side’s innings was finished off in record-breaking fashion by debut allrounder Muhammad Abbas.
Pakista-born Abbas struck 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced.
Both teams feature numerous changes to those who played out a five-match T20 series, won 4-1 by New Zealand.
The second match of the series is in Hamilton on Wednesday.
