New Zealand batters came out all guns blazing in the first ODI of the series after a historic T20I series loss to Pakistan. New Zealand's top four batters wreaked havoc in Queenstown on December 12 as they posted a massive total of 365/4 on the board. After Suzie Bates' 108-run knock, Bernadine Bezuidenhout's run-a-ball 86, and skipper Amelia Kerr's 69-ball 83, Sophie Devine went berserk with a 36-ball 70 in the slog overs. With skipper Nida Dar out injured during the match Sidra Ameen fought the lone batter with her 105-run knock as the visitors lost the match by 131 runs.
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Earlier, Nida won the toss and opted to bowl first. After a few cautious overs, the New Zealand openers took on the Pakistan bowlers. In the 18th over, Bernadine completed her half-century from 54 balls. A few overs later, Suzie got to her fifty from 57 deliveries. Both Bernadine and Suzie accelerated in the middle overs. The breakthrough came in the 26th over as Berdanine was dismissed run out. She contributed with a run-a-ball 86 featuring eight fours in the 165-run opening partnership. Amelia started well while Suzie anchored the innings. The opener completed her century with a boundary in the 38th over. She took 100 deliveries to reach the milestone.
In the 39th over, the opener was out bowled to Umm-e-Hani. Her 104-ball 108 was laced with 11 fours. In the next over, Amelia completed her half-century with a boundary. She took 43 deliveries to complete her fifty. Meanwhile, Nida had to leave the field after the ball hit her in the face. Fatima Sana assumed the captaincy in her absence. Sophie accelerated in the 47th over with a couple of sixes off Fatima. In the 48th over, she hit Omaima for four sixes. In the penultimate over, Amelia was dismissed and missed her chance of scoring a century. Her 69-ball 83 included six fours. In the final over, Sophie was dismissed by Fatima after hitting a four. Her 36-ball 70 was laced with a couple of fours and six sixes. The hosts posted a mammoth total of 365/4.
Pakistan openers looked well-equipped for the run chase. Muneeba Ali and Sidra shared a 110-run opening partnership. Sophie broke the partnership in the 19th over. Muneeba missed her half-century and was dismissed for 44 off 48 balls. Sidra held on to one end but wickets kept falling on the other. Nida's replacement Sadaf Shamas failed to make a mark and was dismissed for 10. Sidra reached her century from 113 balls in the 44th over. She was run out in the 44th over. The opener scored 105 runs from 106 balls including 12 fours. Pakistan were bowled out for 234 with one ball left in the innings and lost the match by 131 runs.
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