New Zealand dominated Pakistan in the opening ODI of the series with a commanding 73-run victory at McLean Park, Napier on March 29. Mark Chapman’s historic 132 and fifties from Daryl Mitchell and Muhammad Abbas powered New Zealand to 344/9. In response, half-centuries from Babar Azam and Salman Agha proved futile as the visitors were dismissed for 271. Pacer Nathan Smith shone with a four-wicket haul.
Earlier, Rizwan won the toss and chose to bowl first. Naseem Shah made an early breakthrough with the new ball by removing Will Young. Left-arm pacer Akif Javed impressed on his ODI debut, dismissing Nick Kelly (15) and Henry Nicholls (11). Chapman and Mitchell built a formidable 199-run stand for the fourth wicket. Irfan Khan ended the partnership in the 42nd over. He contributed 76 runs off 84 balls.
In the 44th over, Chapman headed back to the pavilion after a stellar knock of 132 off 111 balls, which included four fours and three sixes. During the slog overs, Haris Rauf struck twice to remove skipper Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Hay. Debutant Abbas went on a rampage, smashing three sixes and three fours to propel New Zealand to 344/9. Pakistan suffered due to the absence of a specialist spinner, allowing New Zealand to accelerate in the final overs.
Leading the way! Mark Chapman’s career-best ODI knock of 132 off 111 balls – his 3rd century in the format, today’s ANZ Player of the Match. Scorecard | https://t.co/CvmR1mRkVg #NZvPAK #CricketNation📷 = @photosportnz pic.twitter.com/39ouj659mE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2025
Agha and Salman’s Lone Resistance
Pakistan’s run chase began on a promising note before Smith broke the opening stand by dismissing Usman Khan. He scored 39 off 33 balls, hitting four fours and a six. Bracewell then joined the action, sending Abdullah Shafique back after a 36-run knock from 49 balls. Senior players Babar and Rizwan attempted to steady the innings, but as the required run rate crept up, Rizwan fell to Abbas after scoring 30 off 34 balls.
Babar and Agha took the game deep, but just when acceleration was needed, Babar fell to William O’Rourke after scoring 78 off 83 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. Following his dismissal, Salman fought a lone battle while wickets tumbled at the other end. Jacob Duffy struck first, and Smith cleaned up the tail. Salman managed a valiant 58 off 48 balls before departing, as Pakistan were bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.
