Pakistan won their 500th ODI match against New Zealand in a five-wicket victory. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored his ninth century in ODI cricket, helping Pakistan secure the win at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. This makes Pakistan the third team, after Australia and India, to reach 500 ODI wins.
Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq had a solid opening stand of 124 runs while chasing 289. After Imam’s departure, Zaman added 90 runs with captain Babar Azam and scored his ninth century in the 35th over. Babar missed out on his 25th ODI half-century by one, and Shan Masood also departed cheaply.
With 12 overs remaining, Fakhar and Mohammad Rizwan scored five boundaries and a six between them in the next three overs to keep Pakistan in control of the chase. Zaman got out to left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra in the 43rd over, departing for 117 off 114 balls, causing some panic. Salman Ali Agha also fell quickly, but Rizwan remained calm and scored 42 not out while Mohammad Nawaz was unbeaten on eight as Pakistan reached home with nine balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
Earlier, New Zealand made 288/7 in their 50 overs while batting first, with Daryl Mitchell striking a century. Both Mitchell and Young shared a partnership of 102 runs for the second wicket before Shadab Khan broke the partnership by dismissing Young for a 78-ball 86. After Mitchell brought up his second ODI century in the 42nd over, Pakistan bowlers made a comeback in the last eight overs, taking four wickets and giving away only 53 runs. Mitchell fell for 113 off 115 balls, smashing 11 fours and one six.
Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
