Result: BLACKCAPS won by 70 runs
The BLACKCAPS have grafted their way to a 70 run victory in front of a packed out crowd at the Basin Reserve in the first ANZ ODI against Pakistan.
Scorecard
Some spectacular late hitting from the BLACKCAPS lower order propelled the home side to 281-8 on a tricky Wellington pitch. The Pakistan pursuit was on course for much of the innings, but with the required run-rate escalating, the visitors succumbed to an inspired BLACKCAPS bowling unit and were bowled out for 210.
It was certainly not all plain sailing for the home side though, falling to 99-6 at one stage. The freshest face in the top order in Henry Nicholls would show brilliant composure though, making a match high 82 as he guided the BLACKCAPS to a competitive total.
Pakistan’s pace bowling attack showed just how lethal they can be during the opening 15 overs of the innings, with the seven foot tall Mohammad Irfan leading the way.
With his bounce and pace, Irfan took the opening wicket of the in-form Martin Guptill (11), while clearly challenging the rest of the BLACKCAPS top order.
Anwar Ali struck twice in quick succession, while Mohammad Amir also collected three wickets to put the BLACKCAPS under substantial pressure.
Nicholls though was resolute. The 24-year-old showed patience and maturity as he grafted his way to a maiden ODI half-century. He fell with 5.4 overs remaining, but not before he’d done enough to collect the Man of the Match award.
The final overs would put the icing on the cake for the BLACKCAPS, with Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan providing some late fireworks to get a score above par.
Henry in particular showed his ability to clear the rope, smashing one six a whopping 116 metres. That was one of four maximums for the number nine, who flew to an unbeaten 48 off 30 deliveries.
McClenaghan too was destructive, clubbing 31 off 18 balls, including a couple of delightfully delicate paddle shots over the keeper’s head. A nasty incident two balls from the end of the innings would mar his knock though, with a bouncer sneaking through his grill and striking the 29-year-old just above the eye.
A scan at the hospital showed McClenaghan to have a fracture above his left eye, which will rule him out of the second ODI and require surgery on Friday.
Without McClenaghan available to bowl the BLACKCAPS were forced to be a little more creative with their bowling options, seeing Grant Elliott handed the ball in the opening 10 overs.
The 36-year-old continued his brilliant form at the bowling crease though, taking figures of 42-3 in his 10 allotted overs. It takes Elliott to nine wickets in his last three international matches.
Pakistan’s brightest period was the third wicket partnership between Mohammmad Hafeez (42) and Babar Azam (62), which contributed 81 runs to the visitor’s chase. It would be the skipper Kane Williamson who made the crucial breakthrough for the BLACKCAPS, with Hafeez drawn into the big shot and miscuing one to Matt Henry.
From that point forward the momentum remained with the BLACKCAPS, who restricted the Pakistan run-rate and built pressure with each over.
Newly ranked number one ODI bowler Trent Boult lived up to his billing, ripping through the Pakistan lower-order. He finished with 4-40 and took the final wicket of Irfan to end the game after 46 overs.
With their back up against the wall the BLACKCAPS were impressive as they fought out of a tough situation and were rewarded with a 1-0 lead in the series ahead of their trip to Napier.
