Naseem Shah's fantastic fifer and Mohammad Rizwan's handsome fifty powered Pakistan to an emphatic six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series in Karachi on Monday (January 9).
Pakistan rode on Naseem's brilliant spell of 5/57 to bundle out hosts to a below par total of 255/9. In reply, Rizwan struck an unbeaten 77 off 86 after half centurion knocks from Fakhar Zaman (56 off 74) and skipper Babar Azam (66 off 82) to overhaul the not so difficult target with 11 balls to spare and lead the series 1-0. It was 19-year-old Naseem's second five-wicket haul in just four ODIs.
The second and the thirs ODI will be played on Wednesday and Friday respectively.
While chasing 256, Azam and Zaman steadies Pakistan's boat after losing Imam ul Haq cheaply at 11 as the duo stitched together a 78-run stand for the second wicket. Zaman belted seven boundaries in his 74-ball knock before falling prey to Michael Bracewell, while Azam was removed by Glenn Phillips after his 82-ball knock in which he cracked five fours and a maximum. Rizwan, who combined with Azam to weave 60-run partnership, found another partner in Haris Sohail, who scored 32 off 23. Michael Bracewell was the pick of the New Zealand bowler as he bowled a decent spell of 2/44.
Earlier, it was Naseem's blitzkrieg which rattled the hosts' batting line up as he sent Kiwi opener Devon Conway packing on duck in the very first over.
Naseem came back to munch on the wickets of Glenn Phillips (37), Bracewell (43) and Henry Shipley (0).
