NZ vs PAK, The Pakistan cricket team suffered a tough defeat in the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand on March 29, 2024, at Napier. After a disappointing loss in the 5-match T20 series, Pakistan couldn’t find their footing in the 50-over format either, losing by 73 runs to New Zealand.
With Mark Chapman’s brilliant century and solid contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Mohammad Abbas, New Zealand set a challenging total, and despite strong efforts from Babar Azam and others, Pakistan’s chase faltered. In this article, we take a closer look at the match summary, key performances, and turning points from this encounter in the Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI 2024.
New Zealand’s Batting Performance: Setting a Challenging Target of 345
A Rocky Start for New Zealand
New Zealand’s batting didn’t get off to the best start, especially after losing the toss and being put in to bat first. By the 50-run mark, New Zealand had already lost three quick wickets. Will Young, Nick Kelly, and Henry Nicholls were all dismissed cheaply, putting the hosts under pressure.
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Will Young (22 runs)
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Nick Kelly (10 runs)
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Henry Nicholls (14 runs)
At this stage, New Zealand’s batting order was struggling, and Pakistan’s bowlers looked to capitalize on the early breakthroughs.
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell Rescue New Zealand
Despite the early setbacks, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell built a monumental partnership. The pair added 199 runs for the fourth wicket, rescuing the team from a precarious position. Chapman’s century was crucial in setting a competitive total for New Zealand.
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Mark Chapman played a match-winning knock of 132 runs off 111 balls, featuring 13 fours and 6 sixes.
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Daryl Mitchell supported well with a composed 76 runs off 84 balls.
The partnership laid the foundation for a challenging target, and after Mitchell’s departure, Mohammad Abbas provided a much-needed boost, smashing a quick 52 runs off 26 balls. By the end of the innings, New Zealand posted 344/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
Pakistan’s Run Chase: Strong Start but a Weak Finish
A Solid Opening Stand
Pakistan had a strong start in their chase of 345 runs, with Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan adding a brisk 83-run partnership for the first wicket. Shafiq scored 36 runs off 49 balls, while Khan contributed 39 runs off 33 balls. However, New Zealand’s bowlers fought back with some well-timed breakthroughs.
Babar Azam’s Fight in the Middle Order
After the openers’ dismissals, Babar Azam came to the crease and played a crucial innings. He managed to score 78 runs off 83 balls, playing a captain’s knock, but the required run rate kept climbing. Salman Agha also chipped in with a handy 58 runs off 48 balls, but the middle order crumbled under pressure.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s lower middle order couldn’t capitalize, and the batting lineup fell apart before reaching the target. Despite a strong start, Pakistan ended up getting all out for 271 runs in 44.1 overs, failing to last the full 50 overs.
New Zealand’s Bowling Attack: Key Wickets and Effective Strategies
Nathan Smith’s Four-Wicket Haul
New Zealand’s bowlers were disciplined and effective in restricting Pakistan’s chase. Nathan Smith led the charge with a stellar performance, picking up 4 wickets. His tight lines and variations made it difficult for Pakistan’s batsmen to build partnerships.
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Nathan Smith took 4 wickets, leading the charge with pinpoint accuracy.
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Jacob Duffy, another key bowler, took 2 wickets, playing a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s middle order.
Together, New Zealand’s bowling attack restricted Pakistan from mounting a serious challenge and sealed a 73-run victory.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
Can Pakistan Bounce Back in the ODI Series?
After a disheartening loss in the 1st ODI, Pakistan needs to regroup and rework their batting strategy. The middle-order failure has been a recurring issue, and Pakistan must find ways to stabilize their chase in the upcoming matches.
The series is not over yet, and Pakistan will look to bounce back with improved performances in the next match.
Where Can I Watch the New Zealand vs. Pakistan ODI Series?
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Live Streaming: Watch the match live on Hotstar and SonyLiv.
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Match Highlights: Available on YouTube, ESPNCricinfo, and PTV Sports.
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Tickets: Get your Pakistan vs New Zealand match tickets online from platforms like BookMyShow and TicketMaster.
Final Thoughts
New Zealand’s dominant win in the 1st ODI came thanks to Mark Chapman’s brilliant century and Nathan Smith’s bowling. Although Pakistan’s openers showed promise, their batting collapse in the middle order cost them the match. As the ODI series progresses, Pakistan must address their batting inconsistency and improve their overall performance to stay competitive.
FAQs
Q1. Who won the first ODI between NZ vs PAK in 2024?
Ans: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 73 runs in the 1st ODI in Napier.
Q2. Who was the Player of the Match in Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI?
Ans: Mark Chapman was awarded the Player of the Match for his 132-run innings.
Q3. What was Pakistan’s score in the first ODI against New Zealand?
Ans: Pakistan was all out for 271 runs in 44.1 overs, failing to chase 345 runs.
Q4. How many runs did Babar Azam score in the first ODI?
Ans: Babar Azam scored 78 runs off 83 balls, playing a crucial innings for Pakistan.
Q5. Where can I watch Pakistan vs New Zealand match highlights?
Ans: You can watch the highlights on YouTube, ESPNCricinfo, and PTV Sports.