Pakistan registered a comfortable 6-wicket win over New Zealand in the first One-day international of the series played at National Stadium, Karachi on 9 January 2023. However, Usama Mir made headlines with his maiden dismissal.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was an ideal start for the hosts as Naseem Shah got rid of Devon Conway without opening his account. Finn Allen struggled initially before putting pressure with aggressive shots. Mohammad Wasim struck getting rid of Allen caught by Salman Agha. Allen and Williamson added 36 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Daryl Mitchell and Williamson steadied the ship for New Zealand with singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Usama Mir produced a stunning delivery that turned to hit the stumps to pick his maiden ODI wicket in the 15th over. Mitchell and Williamson added 32 runs for 3rd wicket. It was a dream delivery to dismiss the batting calibre of Williamson.
Mir was bought again into the attack and got rid of well-set Tom Latham with a simple catch to Fakhar Zaman. It was a decent bowling effort by Mir ending with figures of 2 for 42 in his 10 overs. The Pakistani bowlers kept it tight not allowing the New Zealand batters to score runs quickly. Naseem Shah was the pick of bowlers for Pakistan with 5 for 57 in 10 overs. Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 255 for 9 on a sluggish pitch.
Here is how Usama Mir Picks His Maiden International Wicket:
A brilliant start to @iamusamamir's ODI career! 💫
Kane Williamson is Usama's maiden ODI wicket 🙌#TayyariKiwiHai | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/CL6KOA3GK8
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 9, 2023
Chasing down 256 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for Pakistan as they an early wicket of Imam. Fakhar looked impressive with his shots and added 30 runs laying a strong foundation. Babar Azam and Fakhar kept the pressure on New Zealand bowling. Fakhar completed fifty off 60 balls and kept the momentum going for Pakistan. Bracewell struck for New Zealand dismissing Fakhar. Fakhar and Babar added 78 runs for 2nd wicket.
Babar continued his impressive form with fifty off 63 balls along with Mohammed Rizwan. A superb piece of stumping ended in the wicket of Babar. Babar and Rizwan added 60 runs for the 3rd wicket. Haris Sohail provided a quickfire knock keeping pressure on the Kiwi bowling line-up. Rizwan and Sohail added 64 runs for the 4th wicket.
Despite struggling with cramps, Rizwan remained not out on 77 off 86 balls while Salman Agha completed the job by hitting a six as Pakistan won the match by six wickets with 11 balls to spare. Michael Bracewell picked up 2 wickets while Tim Southee and Glenn Phillips grabbed one wicket each.
For his 5 for 57 in 10 overs, Naseem Shah was named the player of the match award. The second match will take place on 11th January.
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