Pakistan sets unwanted record in ODI series opener against New Zealand

Pakistan had a rough start to their three-match ODI series against New Zealand at McLean Park on Saturday, as they set an unwanted record for conceding the most extras in an ODI innings.

In the series opener, Pakistan’s bowlers struggled, allowing a significant number of extras, including wides and leg-byes. The team gave away a total of 43 extra runs in the first innings, making it the third-highest number of extras conceded in ODI history.

Pakistan’s previous highest number of extras was recorded against New Zealand in 1999 during a match in Manchester, where they conceded 47 extras. This was followed by two instances where Pakistan conceded 44 extras—once against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 1990, and again against New Zealand in Dambulla in 2003.

Pakistan lost the series opener by 73 runs, despite commendable efforts from batters Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha.

Chasing a daunting target of 345, Pakistan started well with debutant Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafique putting together an 83-run opening partnership. Both openers played aggressively, giving Pakistan a solid start.

However, Nathan Smith broke the partnership in the 13th over, dismissing Usman for 39. In the 16th over, captain Michael Bracewell sent Abdullah back for 36, leaving Pakistan at 88-2.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then stitched together a crucial 76-run stand to keep Pakistan in the chase. However, debutant Muhammad Abbas dismissed Rizwan for 30 in the 29th over, leaving Pakistan at 164-3.

Babar, determined to anchor the innings, partnered with Salman Ali Agha for an 85-run stand. Babar made a fluent 78, reaching his 36th ODI fifty before falling to Will O’Rourke in the 39th over, shifting the momentum in New Zealand’s favor.

Pakistan's collapse began after Babar’s dismissal. Tayyab Tahir was run out, and Irfan Khan Niazi was dismissed for a golden duck, leaving Pakistan struggling at 253-6.

Smith continued his brilliant performance with the ball, removing Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf in the 43rd over. Jacob Duffy then dismissed Salman Ali Agha for a fighting 58, and Akif Javed was the last man out, as Pakistan were all out for 271 in 44.1 overs.

Smith was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4-60. Duffy supported with two wickets, while Bracewell, Abbas, and O’Rourke took one wicket each, securing New Zealand’s dominant win.

Earlier, New Zealand had a rocky start after being put in to bat. Naseem Shah made an immediate impact, dismissing Will Young for 1 in the third over. Debutant Akif Javed then took the wickets of Nick Kelly for 15 and Henry Nicholls for 11, leaving New Zealand in trouble at 50-3 in the 13th over.

However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell turned the game around with a brilliant 199-run partnership. Chapman’s aggressive batting earned him his third ODI century in the 38th over, where he hit 13 fours and six sixes. Mitchell supported well with a steady 76 before falling to Irfan Niazi. Their record-breaking partnership of 199 runs lifted New Zealand to a commanding position.

Chapman eventually fell for a career-best 132, while Haris Rauf and Niazi struck late to break the lower order. But debutant Mohammad Abbas’s blistering 50 off just 24 balls helped New Zealand surpass 300 runs.

Pakistan’s bowlers showed fight, with Niazi taking 3 wickets for 51 runs. Rauf and Akif each took two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali took one wicket each.

New Zealand’s comprehensive win puts them in a strong position in the series, with the second ODI set to be played on Wednesday, April 2, at Hamilton.