New Zealand vs Pakistan | Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2025 | 1st ODI

Right then, that it is it from this entertaining game where New Zealand take the lead in the series. They will want to seal it in the next one, while Pakistan will be hoping to level it. The 2nd ODI will be played on April 2, Wednesday, at the beautiful Seddon Park in Hamilton. It will begin at 10 pm GMT (Previous Day), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Michael Bracewell, the victorious skipper of New Zealand says it was a great game of ODI cricket with lots of ebbs and flows, but it was great to see ODI cricket still alive. Tells that he just tried to use his resources as best as he could, he rolled the dice and got lucky, it came out well for them. Mentions Abbas played really well, and it just shows how important New Zealand's domestic circuit is going on. Reckons Mitchell and Chapman showed a lot of fight after being under pressure, they soaked in the pressure and showed the New Zealand spirit with that partnership.

Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of Pakistan says that they started well in the chase and it was good to see the positive intent. Adds that they got near the target, but the pressure got to them towards the end as they kept losing wickets at the wrong time. Mentions that they wanted to use the conditions bowling first, which they did, but they let the Kiwis off the hook and need to improve in that area to kill games off. Ends by saying that they need to do better in the middle order and the debutants are still inexperienced but they will get better.

Mark Chapman is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his incredible hundred (132 - His highest ODI score). He says the wicket was tricky, they were looking for a score lower than they got but then kicked on and got to a good total. Adds that he and Mitchell just absorbed pressure, took some risks, and trusted their gut skills. Appreciates Muhammad Abbas' knock and tells he put the icing on the cake. Reckons that the ball got old, and the conditions improved for batting. Mentions that he has a hamstring tweak, so after a couple of days' break, they will see how it is.

Presentation Time...

New Zealand's bowling effort mirrored their batting performance. They had a tough start, but Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith provided crucial breakthroughs in quick succession. The middle overs weren’t going their way either, and the game seemed to be slipping out of their grasp until Will O'Rourke struck the big blow by dismissing Babar. Jacob Duffy then swung the momentum further with a run-out and a wicket in the same over. Nathan Smith was the star with the ball, finishing with four wickets and sealing the victory for the Kiwis.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand put up a daunting total, thanks to a sensational century from Mark Chapman, a fighting fifty from Daryl Mitchell, and a remarkable debut knock from Muhammad Abbas, who smashed the fastest half-century on ODI debut. Pakistan started well with the ball, but things unraveled in the latter half as they came under heavy fire. Their decision to go in with just five bowlers proved costly, conceding crucial runs that ultimately made the difference. Irfan Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Haris Rauf and Akif Javed chipped in with two each, and Mohammad Ali and Naseem Shah claimed one apiece.

Pakistan's openers laid a strong foundation, putting up over 60 runs without losing a wicket in the first Powerplay. However, both departed in quick succession, shifting the pressure back on the team. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the two most experienced batters, came together to steady the innings with a crucial partnership. The momentum shifted when Salman Agha stepped in with positive intent, playing his shots freely. He and Babar registered well-crafted fifties and kept up with the required rate, but the game turned when Babar fell for 78. From there, the chase unraveled, leaving Agha with too much to do and little support from the rest.