Pakistan and New Zealand began their five-match ODI series on Thursday, April 27 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. An exciting T20I series that captivated supporters came before the series. Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, won the toss and asked New Zealand to bat first. Will Young and Chad Bowes, who opened for New Zealand, scored 48 runs in the first inning to get their team off to a good start. Haris Rauf struck first for the hosts by dismissing Bowes for 18 off 26 balls. Will Young and Daryl Mitchell put together a magnificent 102-run partnership as the number-three batters.
The 31-year-old played a supporting role in the partnership, as Young’s strike rate exceeded 100. Shadab Khan dismissed the opener in the 27th over for 86 runs off 78 deliveries, falling short of his century.
After his dismissal, New Zealand captain Tom Latham joined Daryl Mitchell at the crease, and the pair advanced the innings by 72 runs for the third wicket.
Mitchell reached 50 in 60 balls and positioned himself for a massive score. The New Zealand star continued his innings while captain Latham struggled to get underway.
In the 40th over, Shaheen Afridi captured Latham in front of the wickets for 20 runs off 36 balls. Mitchell, however, remained unfazed by what was happening at the other end and kept moving forward, scoring his second ODI century in the 42nd over with a beautiful boundary against Afridi.
New Zealand’s first innings total was 288 for seven runs.
Afridi dismissed him in the 47th over of his innings after he had scored 113 runs off 115 balls by hitting 11 fours and one six. As a result of his flawless century, New Zealand’s innings ended at 288/7. Pakistan’s best bowler was Naseem Shah, who took 2/29 in 10 overs. Shaheen Afridi (2/63) and Haris Rauf (2/65) also collected two wickets apiece.
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