Williamson was leading New Zealand’s recovery after they lost a wicket in the first over of the match and were then reduced to 37-2 inside 10 overs when Mir came into the attack. He conceded six runs in his first over but struck with his third ball to the New Zealand captain, who was batting on 26 .

Bowling from over the wicket, Mir pitched the ball on a good length. It spun away just enough to beat the right-handed Williamson’s bat, hitting the top of middle stump. It was a classic leg-spinner’s dismissal, with Williamson shaping up to defend the ball with a straight bat, only for the zip past his outside edge. Williamson glanced back at his broken stumps with a look to suggest there was little he could do about the delivery.

Celebrating with both arms outstretched, Mir ran straight to captain Babar Azam, embracing him before he was mobbed by the rest of his teammates.

As first international wickets go, getting the New Zealand captain and top ten ranked batter in the world out gives Mir his dream maiden scalp. Now 27, Mir was selected in the squad after Shadab Khan was ruled out of the series with a finger injury. He was rewarded for finishing as the leading wicket-taker at the 2022/23 Pakistan Cup with 28 wickets.

Watch: Pakistan debutant Usama Mir rips leg-break to clean bowl Kane Williamson for dream maiden wicket:

A brilliant start to @iamusamamir's ODI career! 💫

Kane Williamson is Usama's maiden ODI wicket 🙌#TayyariKiwiHai | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/CL6KOA3GK8

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 9, 2023