First ODI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 70 runs

WELLINGTON (Staff Report) - New Zealand Monday defeated Pakistan by 70 runs when the latter failed to chase a 281 runs target in first One-Day International (ODI) game of three-match series at Wellington’s Basin Reserve cricket stadium.

Whole Pakistani team collapsed at 210 runs while chasing the target. Babar Azam remained prominent batsman who scored 62 runs and Mohammad Hafeez contributed 42 runs.

New Zealand's Bout and Elliot picked four and three wickets respectively.

While batting first New Zealand's Henry Nicholls smashed 82 runs off 111 balls. Meanwhile Santer and Matt Henry also contributed 48 runs each.

Pakistan's Muhammad Amir and Anwar each picked three wickets while Muhammad Irfan also dismissed two batsmen.

Earlier Pakistani skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and decided to field first.

Pakistan ODI Team: A Shehzad, M Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, S Malik, U Akmal, *S Afridi, +S Ahmed, I Wasim, Wahab Riaz, A Ali, M Amir

New Zealand ODI Team: NZ XI: M Guptill, *K Williamson, C Munro, C Anderson, G Elliott, +L Ronchi, M Santner, T Boult, A Milne, R Taylor, M McClenaghan

The ODI series is followed by a three-match T20 series which was won by New Zealand with 2-1. Pakistan will conclude the tour on January 31.

Tour Schedule:

1st T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Fri Jan 15 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Auckland

2nd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Sun Jan 17 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Hamilton

3rd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Fri Jan 22 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Wellington

1st ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Mon Jan 25 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Wellington

2nd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Thu Jan 28 01:00 GMT | 06:00 PST | at Napier

3rd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan

Sun Jan 31 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Auckland