WELLINGTON: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 70 runs in the first One Day International at Wellington on Monday, with the entire Pakistani batting side being bowled out in the 46th over chasing a target of 281.
Pakistan's pace attack got off to a good start, reducing the Kiwis to 99 for 6 within 23 overs, but the hosts displayed patience and eventually reached a total of 280 with a late surge, blasting 71 runs in the last fiveovers of the innings.
Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali had won the toss and decided to bowl first. Henry Nicholls of Kiwis made the highest score with 82 runs.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir took three wickets for 28 runs, playing his first ODI today since returning to international cricket after a 5-year spot-fixing ban.
New Zealand pacer Elliott broke the Pakistani top order, with captain Azhar falling in the 9th over after scoring 19 runs, and Ahmed Shehzad falling in the 11th over scoring just 13 runs.
Although Hafeez and Babar Azam tried to put Pakistan back on track in the chase, the rest of the middle order fell away one by one. Azam score 62 runs off 76 balls, while Hafeez managed 42 off 56.
Trent Boult razed the tail, celebrating his ascent to World No 1, with a four-wicket haul.Boult took 4 for 40 in his nine overs, while Elliot shined with three wickets for 43 runs.
New Zealand now lead the three-match ODi series 1-0.The hosts earlier beat Pakistan in the T20 series 2-1.
TEAMS:
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Mitchell Santner, Luke Ronchi, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Imad Wasim, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan