Naseem Shah, a teenage tearaway, undid New Zealand’s batting in the first one-day international against Pakistan in Karachi. On Monday, the 19-year-old grabbed 5-57 as New Zealand was reduced to 9-255 after being called in to bat. Mohammad Rizwan (77 off 86 balls), captain Babar Azam (66 off 82 balls), and opener Fakhar Zaman (56 off 74 balls) all hit half-centuries as Pakistan reached 4-258 with 11 balls to spare.
Naseem Shah takes five as Pakistan thump New Zealand
In the middle overs, New Zealand couldn’t exploit excellent starts on a sluggish surface against disciplined bowling from rookie legspinner Usama Mir (2-42) and Mohammad Nawaz (1-38). Naseem Shah removed opener Devon Conway for a first-over duck off a full-pitched ball, and hard-hitting Finn Allen (29 off 27) was caught at short extra cover by a magnificent Agha Salman diving grab.
Mir removed Kane Williamson (26 off 39 balls) and Tom Latham (42 off 52 balls), while Nawaz sent Daryl Mitchell back (36 off 55). Glenn Phillips (37 off 53) was also rather quiet. As the visitors battled to reach 250, Shah dismissed him, Michael Bracewell (43 off 42), Mitchell Santner (21 off 18), and Henry Shipley (for a first-ball duck). Only when the team wins do a good performance become enjoyable. Everyone did good at bowling. It was reversing, and all I could do was a bowl to my strength “Naseem Shah said.
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Babar shared half-centuries with Fakhar and Rizwan before getting caught by part-time spinner Phillips. Rizwan maintained his calm while batting with cramps in the second part of the run chase. Haris Sohail added a fast 32 before Salman (13no) smashed the game-winning six off Tim Southee. The second ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, with the third and final ODI on Friday.
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