Napier: New Zealand secured a commanding 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the series, held at McLean Park, Napier, on March 29, 2025.
Chasing a formidable target of 345, Pakistan was bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs, failing to keep up with the required run rate. Despite a fighting knock of 58 off 48 balls by Agha Salman, the middle and lower order crumbled under pressure.
Nathan Smith was the standout performer for New Zealand, claiming four wickets for 60 runs in 8.1 overs, including the crucial final wicket of Akif Javed. Jacob Duffy also played a pivotal role, picking up two wickets for 57 runs in his spell.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a challenging total of 344/9, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter. Pakistan’s innings saw a steady start, but frequent wickets derailed their chase. The last five overs proved disastrous for Pakistan, as they lost six wickets while managing only 21 runs.
With this win, New Zealand takes a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. The second ODI is set to take place in a few days, where Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the series.
