Babar, Fakhar react after Pakistan down New Zealand in first ODI

Pakistan captain Babar Azam lauded his team after winning the first ODI against New Zealand on Thursday in Rawalpindi.

Chasing a target of 289 runs, Pakistan reached home in 48.3 overs and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

“This was a team effort, we wanted to start well. The credit belongs to the fast bowlers for the way we restricted them in the end. It feels good to see players execute their plans. The way Naseem bowled put pressure on them and then the spinners dominated,” said Azam.

“The way Fakhar and Imam played, then the innings Fakhar and I built together was great,” he added.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman, who scored a century, also revealed his plan for the innings.

“The plan was to attack and stay long. If you survive the new ball at Rawalpindi you must stay till the end. It's a very good start, the first three needs to go till 40 overs. Today was my day and hopefully, Imam and Babar will also play big knocks,” he added.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell also made a century, scoring a brilliant 115-ball 113 while opener Will Young hit 86 to guide New Zealand to a challenging total of 288-7 in their 50 overs.

It was Zaman who carried the day for the home team, bringing Pakistan within 34 runs of victory before being finally caught off a miscued shot.

Imam-ul-Haq (60 off 65 balls) and Zaman put on 124 for the first wicket by the 22nd over, negating New Zealand´s attack on a flat Pindi stadium pitch.

Once Haq, who hit five boundaries and a six in his 15th ODI fifty, was removed leg-before by spinner Ish Sodhi, Pakistan were carried further towards the target by a 90-run stand between Zaman and skipper Babar Azam.

Azam fell one short of a half-century when he edged pacer Adam Milne behind the stumps to Tom Latham. He hit three fours and a six off 46 balls.

Pakistan stuttered when Shan Masood fell for a miserable 12-ball one and Agha Salman for seven but Mohammad Rizwan ensured the opportunity was not wasted by hitting the winning boundary during his 34-ball 42 not out.

The victory was Pakistan´s 500th in 949 ODIs. 

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