Pakistan clinched a thrilling five-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI of the five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Fakhar Zaman played a crucial role in the win by smashing his ninth century in ODI cricket. Pakistan also claimed their 500th win in ODIs, becoming only the third team to do so after Australia and India.
Chasing a target of 289, Pakistan's opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq started off well, putting together a solid 124-run partnership. After scoring his 15th ODI half-century, Imam was dismissed by Ish Sodhi in the 22nd over. He scored 60 off 65 balls, laced with five fours and one six.
After the fall of the first wicket, Fakhar Zaman joined hands with captain Babar Azam and together they put together a 90-run partnership for the second wicket. Fakhar also brought up his ninth ODI century in the 35th over. Babar missed out on his 25th ODI half-century by just one run when he was caught behind by Adam Milne in the next over. Shan Masood was dismissed cheaply, and Pakistan were under a bit of pressure.
However, Fakhar and Mohammad Rizwan played some positive cricket, striking five boundaries and a six between them in the next three overs to keep Pakistan in control of the chase. Fakhar departed in the 43rd over, scoring 117 off 114 balls, but Mohammad Rizwan remained calm and remained unbeaten on 42. Mohammad Nawaz was also unbeaten on eight as Pakistan reached home with nine balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
New Zealand, who were put into bat first, made 288/7 in their 50 overs, with Daryl Mitchell smashing a century. After a 48-run partnership for the opening wicket between Chad Bowes and Will Young, Mitchell came to bat at number three after Bowes was dismissed by Haris Rauf in the 10th over.
Mitchell and Young took full advantage of the loose deliveries to share a stand of 102 runs for the second wicket before vice-captain Shadab Khan broke the partnership by dismissing Young for a well-made 86 off 78 balls.
After Mitchell brought up his second ODI century in the 42nd over, Pakistan bowlers made a remarkable comeback in the last eight overs, giving away only 53 runs and taking four wickets, including Mitchell who departed for 113 off 115 balls, smashing 11 fours and one six.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam was pleased with his team's performance, saying, "It was a great team effort. Fakhar played really well, and the way Mohammad Rizwan played towards the end was exceptional. Our bowlers did a great job in the last few overs to restrict New Zealand to 288. We are looking forward to the next game and hope to carry this momentum forward."
The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on April 30, where Pakistan will be looking to seal the series by winning the game.
Brief scores: New Zealand 288/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 113, Will Young 86, Naseem Shah 2-29) lost to Pakistan 291/5 in 48.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 117, Imam-ul-Haq 60; Adam Milne 2-60) by five wickets