Cricket

'Zimbu ne kitne run banaye' - Fans react as Pakistan beat New Zealand in 1st ODI by 5 wickets

Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the 1st match of the 5-match ODI series and here is how fans reacted to it.

author-image
Daniel S
New Update
Pakistan defeated New Zealand (Source - Twitter)

Pakistan defeated New Zealand (Source - Twitter)

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare in the first match of the 5 ODI series played in Rawalpindi on Thursday, April 27. Batting first, New Zealand scored 288 runs at the loss of 7 wickets. Pakistan won the match by scoring 291 runs for 5 wickets in 48.3 overs. For Pakistan, opener Fakhar Zaman played an outstanding inning of 117 runs in 114 balls. This is his 9th century, while Imam-ul-Haq also scored 60 runs. This is Pakistan's 500th win in ODI cricket. Pakistan is the third country to do so and became the second-fastest team to reach this point as the Men in Green have achieved this feat in 949 ODIs. Australia is number one, achieving this feat in 811 matches.

Talking about the match, chasing the target of 289 runs, Pakistan got off to a good start. Fakhar and Imam laid the foundation of victory by sharing 124 runs for the first wicket. After this, skipper Babar Azam, who came to bat at number three, played an inning of 49 runs, and after his dismissal, Mohammad Rizwan played an unbeaten inning of 42 runs in 34 balls to give the team victory in the 49th over. With this, Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the 5 ODI series. Adam Milne took 2 wickets for New Zealand. Blair Tickner and Ish Sodhi got 1-1 wickets.

A brilliant all-round performance by PakistanΒ 

Earlier, with the help of Daryl Mitchell's second century, New Zealand scored 288 runs while batting first. Mitchell shared a century partnership with Will Young for the second wicket. Young also played an inning of 86 runs in just 78 balls. Both of them laid the foundation for a big score for New Zealand.

But, in the death overs, Pakistan bowled well. Especially Naseem Shah did not give Kiwi batters a chance to score runs in the beginning and then in the end. Naseem took 2 wickets for 29 runs in 10 overs and did not allow the Blackcaps to cross 300. Meanwhile, the 2nd ODI will be played on Saturday, April 29 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Here's how fans reacted:

Cricket News Pakistan vs New Zealand