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New Zealand posted their second-highest total at home against Pakistan in the ODI series opener at McLean Park, Napier on March 29. The in-form Mark Chapman batted at no.4 in Tom Latham's absence and scored his career-best 132 to help New Zealand post 344/9. Chapman's 132 is the highest ODI score by a Kiwi batter against Pakistan.
The previous highest belonged to former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor. In ICC World Cup 2011, Taylor scored an unbeaten 131 off 124 balls to guide New Zealand to 302/7 in Pallekele. New Zealand won the match comfortable by 110 runs.
Abrar, Muqeem benched, part-time spinner taken to cleaners
Meanwhile, Pakistan went into the clash with four pacers and no speciallist spinner. Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem warmed the benches as Mohammad Rizwan picked Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and debutants Mohammad Ali and Akif Javed.
Rizwan used five overs of spin from T20I captain Salman Agha who conceded 67 runs. Muqeem, the left-arm chinaman bowler, was benched despite taking two wickets for six runs from two overs in the fifth and final T20I of the series.
Rauf does well, Irfan takes a beating
Pakistan's four speciallist pacers were impressive, especially Rauf who conceded 38 runs from his quota of 10 overs including two scalps in the slog overs. However, Pakistan missed the services of a prominent fifth bowler. Irfan Khan took three wickets but conceded 51 runs from five overs.
Chapman-Mitchell's big partnership, Abbas hits big on debut
After Naseem Shah dismissed Will Young early and Javed struck twice with the new ball, Chapman and Daryl Mitchell shared a 199-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Irfan broke the partnership in the 42nd over with Mitchell's wicket. He scored 76 runs from 84 balls including four fours and four sixes. Chapman returned to the pavillion in the 44th over. His knock of 132 from 111 balls was studded with 13 fours and six sixes.
In the slog overs, debutant Muhammad Abbas punished Pakistan bowlers. He smashed three fours and as many sixes in his 26-ball 52.
"This is special. Can't describe the feeling now. Special to contribute and Chappy was unbelievable. To get in there and show what I can do is special to me and my family I think. Yes they're sitting in the crowd. Quite special for them as well. Gary told me go out there and do what you do best. That was the license I needed," Abbas told the broadcasters after his blazing knock.
