Chapman, Smith Lead New Zealand to Comfortable Victory Over Pakistan in 1st ODI
Match Overview New Zealand began their ODI series against Pakistan with a dominant performance, clinching a 5-wicket victory at Napier. Mark Chapman’s exceptional 95 off 103 balls* and Henry Smith’s all-round brilliance guided the Black Caps to a comfortable chase after Pakistan set a target of 225.
Pakistan Innings: Struggles Against Tight Kiwi Bowling
After electing to bat first, Pakistan’s openers provided a decent start with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq putting on a 45-run stand. However, the introduction of Henry Smith into the attack led to Fakhar’s dismissal for 22, triggering a series of wickets.
Captain Babar Azam played a stabilizing knock, scoring 68 off 85 balls, but lacked support from the middle order. Mohammad Rizwan (31) and Agha Salman (27) made contributions but failed to convert starts into big scores. Zafar Abbas, New Zealand’s off-spinner, turned the game with a 3-wicket spell, dismissing Babar and two other key batters to restrict Pakistan.
Pakistan’s innings ended at 225 all out in 48.2 overs, with Shaheen Afridi’s late 21 off 13* providing some respectability to the total.
Pakistan Scorecard
- Fakhar Zaman – 22 (31)
- Imam-ul-Haq – 35 (42)
- Babar Azam – 68 (85)
- Mohammad Rizwan – 31 (45)
- Agha Salman – 27 (34)
- Shadab Khan – 15 (18)
- Shaheen Afridi – 21* (13)
- Extras – 6
- Total: 225 all out (48.2 overs)
New Zealand’s Bowling Figures
- Henry Smith – 2/38 (8 overs)
- Trent Boult – 1/42 (9 overs)
- Tim Southee – 1/45 (10 overs)
- Zafar Abbas – 3/41 (9.2 overs)
- Rachin Ravindra – 2/29 (6 overs)
New Zealand’s Chase: Chapman’s Brilliance Seals the Victory
Chasing 225, New Zealand had a shaky start as Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Devon Conway (10) and Will Young (12) to leave them at 37/2. However, Mark Chapman’s class shone through as he orchestrated the chase with a composed 95.*
Chapman built a crucial 112-run partnership with captain Tom Latham (45), keeping the Pakistani bowlers at bay. Henry Smith, having shined with the ball, contributed 28 off 31 balls* to finish the chase in the 46th over, guiding New Zealand to 226/5.
New Zealand Scorecard
- Devon Conway – 10 (15)
- Will Young – 12 (19)
- Mark Chapman – 95* (103)
- Tom Latham – 45 (58)
- Glenn Phillips – 18 (24)
- Henry Smith – 28* (31)
- Extras – 8
- Total: 226/5 (46.0 overs)
Pakistan’s Bowling Figures
- Shaheen Afridi – 2/39 (9 overs)
- Haris Rauf – 1/47 (10 overs)
- Shadab Khan – 1/44 (9 overs)
- Mohammad Nawaz – 1/35 (7 overs)
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Mark Chapman’s Composure – Played a match-winning knock under pressure.
- Zafar Abbas’ Middle-Overs Magic – His spell ensured Pakistan didn’t post a big total.
- Henry Smith’s All-Round Show – Contributed with both bat and ball.
- Pakistan’s Inconsistency – A strong start was wasted due to a middle-order collapse.
- New Zealand’s Tactical Approach – Disciplined bowling and controlled batting sealed the game.
Looking Ahead
Pakistan will need to improve their middle-order stability ahead of the second ODI, while New Zealand will aim to maintain their winning momentum. With the series still open, an exciting contest awaits in the next match.
Final Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets and lead the series 1-0.
