By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the inaugural fixture of the five one day international matches series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday night, as Green Shirts earned 1-0 lead thanks to left-arm batter Fakhar Zaman, who hammered a sparking ton of 117 runs off 114 balls, as his innings was studded with 13 boundaries and one impressive six. Pakistan reached on target of 289 for 5 in 48.2 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to pursue a set target. Blackcaps posted 288 for 7 runs on the board in 50 overs per innings. Daryal Mitchell made 113 runs of 115 balls including 11 fours and a single six was the top-scorer. Opening batter, Will Young scored 86 runs, as he lasted 78 balls. His innings was laced with eight boundaries and a couple of sixes. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi snared two batters each after giving 29, 65 and 64 runs respectively. Shadab Khan claimed one wicket for Pakistan.
Pakistan started their innings with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq to chase a huge total of 289 runs in 50 overs, as the both players provided a solid start by aggregating 124 runs in the first wicket stand in 21.2 overs. Imam-ul-Haq scored 60 runs after wasting 64 balls, as he hit five fours and one huge six at mid-wicket boundary.
Skipper Babar Azam played a responsible innings of 49 runs off 46 balls including three fours and one six. However, here of the day, Fakhar Zaman exhibited top quality cricket during his 117 runs innings. He smashed 13 fours and one six too. He was declared the best player of the match. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 32 runs in Pakistan’s victory. He lasted 25 balls and hit four boundaries and one six.
Summarized Scorecard:
Venue: Pindi Cricket Stadium
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first
Man of the Match: Fakhar Zaman
New Zealand (Batting): 288 for 7 in 50 overs
Daryal Mitchell (113 runs, 115 balls, 4x11, 6x1), Will Young (86 runs, 78 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Hanry Nichools (20 runs not out, 4x1, 6x0), 21 balls, Tom Latham (20 runs, 36 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Chad Bowes (18 runs, 26 balls, 4x3, 6x0),
Pakistan (Bowling):
Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 64), Haris Rauf (2 for 65), Naseem Shah (2 for 29), Shadab Khan (1 for 56)
Pakistan (Batting): Target 289 runs in 50 overs
Fakhar Zaman (117 runs, 114 balls, 4x13, 6x1), Imam-ul-Haq (60 runs, 64 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Babar Azam (49 runs, 46 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan (32 runs, 25 balls, 4x4, 6x1)
New Zealand (Bowling):
Adam Milne (2 for 60), Blair Tickner (1 for 44), Rachin Ravindra (1 for 48), Ish Sodhi (1 for 51)
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Reserves:
Abdullah Shafiq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, Ishanullah, Haris Sohail
New Zealand (Playing XIs):
Tom Latham (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryal Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner
Reserves:
James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Henry Shipley
