New Zealand Beat Pakistan By 73 Runs :- The first match of the three-match ODI series between New Zealand and Pakistan was played on 29 March at McLean Park in Napier. In this match, the New Zealand team displayed a brilliant game and defeated Pakistan by a huge margin of 73 runs.
Batting first, the New Zealand team scored a huge score of 344 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs. In response, the Pakistan team failed to achieve this target and the entire team was all out after scoring 271 runs. In this way, New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand innings: Mark Chapman’s brilliant century
After losing the toss and batting first, the New Zealand team had a good start. Devon Conway and Finn Allen shared a 68-run partnership for the first wicket. Although Pakistan’s bowlers took wickets in between, Mark Chapman, who came to bat at number four, put the team in a strong position with his brilliant batting.
Mark Chapman played a brilliant innings of 132 runs in 111 balls. During this, his strike rate was 118.92 and he hit 12 fours and 4 sixes. Apart from him, Daryl Mitchell also contributed 76 runs, which came in 84 balls. Mitchell’s innings included 7 fours and 1 six. Apart from this, Mohammad Abbas played a stormy innings of 52 runs in just 26 balls. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes during his innings, which helped New Zealand’s team reach a huge score of 344 runs.
Pakistan’s bowling: Irfan Khan’s brilliant performance
Pakistan’s bowlers tried, but New Zealand’s batsmen did not let them survive. Irfan Khan bowled brilliantly and took 3 wickets. Apart from him, Akif Javed and Haris Rauf took 2-2 wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali got 1-1 wickets.
However, Pakistan’s bowling was not that impressive and the team had to face a big target in the end.
Pakistan innings: Babar Azam and Salman Aga struggle
Chasing the target of 345 runs, Pakistan also got off to a good start. Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafiq added 57 runs for the first wicket. However, Usman Khan was dismissed after scoring 39 runs in 33 balls, while Abdullah Shafiq scored 36 runs in 49 balls.
After this, captain Babar Azam, who came to bat at number three, tried to handle the team’s innings. He scored 78 runs in 83 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Salman Aga, who came to bat at number five, also struggled and played an important innings of 58 runs in 48 balls. But Pakistan’s lower order batsmen could not take the team to victory and the entire team was all out after scoring 271 runs in 43.2 overs.
New Zealand’s bowling: Nathan Smith shines
Nathan Smith performed brilliantly in New Zealand’s bowling. He took 4 wickets and kept the pressure on Pakistan’s batsmen. Apart from him, Jacob Duffy took 2 wickets, while William O’Rourke, captain Michael Bracewell and Mohammad Abbas took 1-1 wickets.
Pakistan’s lower order batsmen could not stand in front of Nathan Smith’s sharp bowling and the team had to face defeat.
Main reasons for New Zealand’s victory
Mark Chapman’s century innings :- Chapman played an important role in taking the team to a big score by scoring 132 runs.
Mohammad Abbas’s flamboyant innings :- He scored 52 runs in 26 balls and put the team in a strong position in the end.
Nathan Smith’s brilliant bowling :- He did not let Pakistan’s batsmen stay by taking 4 wickets.
Pakistan’s lower order fails :- Babar Azam and Salman Aga batted well, but other batsmen could not take the team to victory.
Further strategy
With this win, New Zealand has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Now Pakistan will have to win the next match to stay in the series.
The second ODI will be played on March 31 and in this, the Pakistan team will have to learn from their mistakes and perform better. Especially, the lower order batsmen will have to play responsibly and the bowlers will have to focus on accurate line-length.
Conclusion
New Zealand got off to a great start in the series by winning the first ODI by 73 runs. Both their batting and bowling were strong, while Pakistan’s batsmen did not show consistency. Now it remains to be seen what kind of strategy Pakistan adopts in the next match and whether it is able to make a comeback or not.
