- Scorecard is available here
Napier, 29 March 2025: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 73 runs in the first ODI at the McLean Park in Napier on Saturday to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand, after being asked to bat first, posted 344-9 in their 50 overs. Mark Chapman, who registered his third ODI century, led the charge with 111-ball 132, hitting 13 fours and six sixes, while stitching a 199-run stand for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell.
Mitchell contributed 76 off 84 deliveries, including four fours and as many sixes. Debutant Muhammad Abbas, who walked in at 249-4 in 42nd over, scored a quick-fire 52 off 26 balls with three fours and three sixes.
For Pakistan, Muhammad Irfan Khan (5-0-51-3), Haris Rauf (10-1-38-2) and debutant Akif Javed (10-1-55-2) shared seven wickets among them.
In reply, Pakistan had reached 249-3 but slid to 271 all out in 44.1 overs, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 22 runs.
Babar Azam top-scored with a 78 off 83 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, but in vain. Salman Ali Agha, who brought up his 1000 ODI runs during the outing, contributed a brisk 48-ball 58, which included five fours and two sixes.
Earlier, opening batters Usman Khan (39, 33b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Abdullah Shafique (36, 49b, 5x4s, 1x6) had provided a solid opening stand of 83 runs in 12.4 overs. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan (30, 34b, 2x4s, 1x6) also stitched a 76-run third-wicket partnership after both the openers had departed with 88 runs on the board in the 16th over.
For the hosts, Nathan Smith was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 60 runs in 8.1 overs, while Jacob Duffy chipped in with two wickets off his nine overs.
The second ODI is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 2 April at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Scores in brief:
1st ODI - New Zealand beat Pakistan by 73 runs at the Mclean Park, Napier
New Zeland 344-9, 50 overs (Mark Chapman 132, Daryl Mitchell 76, Muhammad Abbas 52; Muhammad Irfan Khan 3-51, Haris Rauf 2-38, Akif Javed 2-55)
Pakistan 271 all out, 44.1 overs (Babar Azam 78, Salman Ali Agha 58, Usman Khan 39, Abdullah Shafique 36, Mohammad Rizwan 30; Nathan Smith 4-60, Jacob Duffy 2-57)
Player of the match – Mark Chapman (New Zealand)
ODI series schedule:
1st ODI – New Zealand beat Pakistan by 73 runs at McLean Park, Napier
2nd ODI – 2 April; Seddon Park, Hamilton at 3am PKT
3rd ODI– 5 April; Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui at 3am PKT
