Shahid Afridi's sparkling all-round performance steered Pakistan to a 138-runs victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand batting reeled cheaply at 149 runs as only three batsman converted their scored into double figures including Aaron Redmond's noteworthy fifty. Kiwis were feeble in purse of the target as Umar Gul provided an early breakthrough in the form of coveted wickets of Brendon McCullum and his replacement Martin Guptill in successive overs.
Young paceman Mohammad Aamer then dispatched Ross Taylor to give Pakistan an insight towards triumph. Scott Styris was the next man back in pavilion went cheaply, pulled straight in hands of substitute fielder Imran Farhat as New Zealand broke up on 50 for four in 15.1 overs.
Thereafter, Redmond accompanied Daniel Vettori revived the chase with a partnership of 69 for the fifth wicket stand, in which the opener reached his maiden half-century 81 balls. He was trapped lbw to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal – inducted another setback as New Zealand was bundled out with more than 10 overs to spare.
Pakistan earlier in the day fought back strong after the opening wobble as three half centuries helped the hosts to post 287. Afridi hammered 70 off 50 balls later Kamran Akmal knocked an unbeaten 67 and Khalid Latif (64) steady composed his 112-ball innings.
Pakistan captain Younis Khan after winning the toss opted to bat first to be jolted by a roaring opening overs by Shane Bond that trimmed down Pakistan opening stand as Salman Butt edged back to Brendon McCullum for a four-ball duck. Younis was the next man back in hut without ticking score, caught behind off Bond for three-ball duck.
Mohammad Yousuf, who was looking set for a big score, lost his wicket to a run-out for 30, followed by Umar Akmal – whose stumps were knock off by Daniel Vettori. Meanwhile Latif was steady and more intense in building his innings added 101 runs partnership with Shahid Afridi for fifth wicket stand earlier features another 57-run partnership with Mohamamd Yousaf to recover from a precarious 2-0.
Afridi batted for a brisk innings before Jacob Oram accounted him as Ian Butler made no mistake with the catch at short fine leg position. Latif in the meantime completed his first 50 off 93 balls with the help of 2 fours however dislodged by skipper Vettori.
Kamran's then launched a brutal counter attacks and added 86 off just 37 balls for the seventh wicket with Abdul Razzaq, who made 20-ball 26 before Scott Styris grabbed a skied by Razzaq off Butler. Akmal however remained unbeaten hit four sixes in his 67 off 43 balls.
© Cricdb
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