Watch: Naseem Shah was Pakistan’s standout bowler as the home side did well to restrict New Zealand to 288-7 in the opening ODI at Rawalpindi.
20-year-old Naseem finished his 10 overs with figures of 2-29 as he ended the innings as the only Pakistan bowler to go at less than five-and-a-half runs per over.
Tasked with taking the new ball alongside Shaheen Afridi, Naseem was right on the money from the very start with two of his first three overs ending up as maidens as Shaheen conceded 27 runs off his first four overs at the other end.
Naseem’s opening four-over spell cost Pakistan just eight runs and he was unfortunate not to pick up an early breakthrough. The fiery quick wasn’t reintroduced until the 32nd over of the innings by which point New Zealand had firmly established an imposing foundation thanks to half-centuries from Will Young and Daryl Mitchell. After 31 overs New Zealand were 168-2 and the return of Naseem instantly stalled the tourists’ momentum – his two overs back in the attack cost just four runs.
Naseem was then saved for four overs at the death. His first over back – the 41st of the innings – went for just two with Mitchell and Mark Chapman at the crease. His eighth over went for 11, but his ninth – the 45th – cost just three.
With two balls left in the innings Naseem was undeservingly wicketless but that changed as he closed out the innings with the wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Adam Milne in consecutive deliveries, the second with a a full and fast delivery that the tailender was unable to get bat on.
Watch Naseem’s exemplary new-ball control below:
On target ⚡@iNaseemShah was accurate in his impressive spell upfront 💫#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/SxhMhtQAZM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 27, 2023
Watch Naseem’s two wickets in two balls below:
Double-strike ⚡@iNaseemShah closes out the innings with a bang 💥#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/YfcSKvmDal
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 27, 2023