The Black Caps cruised to victory in Napier thanks to Chapman’s ton and a late bowling surge. Get key stats, quotes, and next match odds.
Chapman, Mitchell lead New Zealand to victory over Pakistan
New Zealand made it five wins from their last six white-ball matches with a commanding 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI on Saturday in Napier.
Pakistan started strongly after winning the toss, reducing the Black Caps to 3/50 by the 13th over — a momentum shift that saw live betting odds tighten after New Zealand entered as heavy favorites with top sportsbooks.
But any early promise from the visitors was snuffed out by a game-changing 199-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell.
Chapman blasted 132 from 111 balls — his third ODI century — while Mitchell added 76 off 84.
The pair took New Zealand from early trouble to 3/280 by the 42nd over before both fell in quick succession.
Even so, the damage was done. Debutant Muhammad Abbas added fireworks at the death, hammering 52 from just 26 balls — the fastest ODI half-century on debut — to push the Kiwis to a daunting 9/344.
Pakistan, needing 345 to win, were listed as major underdogs at the halfway point (+600), but came out swinging.
Openers Abdullah Shafique (36 off 49) and Usman Khan (39 off 33) gave the chase a flying start with an 83-run stand. When both departed, Babar Azam (78 off 83) and Mohammad Rizwan (30 off 34) kept things ticking, followed by a brilliant cameo from Salman Agha (58 off 48).
At 3/249 in the 39th over, Pakistan looked within striking distance — but it all fell apart fast.
Pacer Nathan Smith ripped through the middle and lower order, finishing with four wickets as Pakistan lost their final seven wickets for just 22 runs to be bowled out for 271 in the 45th over.
“It was a great game of ODI cricket — lots of ebbs and flows,” New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell said post-match. “You can see how T20 skills are being transferred. It’s good to see ODI cricket still alive.”
The two sides will meet again for the second ODI on Wednesday, April 2, with New Zealand installed as -189 favorites at Nags.bet to take out the three-match series with a game to spare.
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