New Zealand end losing streak
Hosts beat Pakistan by nine wickets after racing to modest target of 125 in first one-day international.
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| Abdul Rehman is caught behind by Brendon McCullum for a duck as Pakistan struggle with the bat [AFP] |
New Zealand halted an 11-match losing streak in emphatic fashion as they recovered from losing the Test series by crushing Pakistan by nine wickets in their first one-day international in Wellington.
New Zealand’s opening combination of Jesse Ryder (55) and Martin Guptill (40 not out) made a mockery of the troubles Pakistan had with the drop-in pitch as New Zealand raced to their target of 125 for the loss of one wicket in 17.2 overs.
Ryder and Guptill brought up the first 50 runs inside six overs and were then forced to take the scheduled tea break after New Zealand had earlier bowled the visitors out for 124 in 37.3 overs.
Tim Southee took a career-best 5-33, while wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum took five catches in an innings for the fourth time.
“Instead of giving any credit to the pitch we should give credit to the New Zealand bowlers, particularly Tim Southee,” Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said on Saturday.
“He swung the ball and put it in the right areas. Swinging the ball is one thing but putting it in the right areas… we just kept nicking him.”
Ryder scored 32 of New Zealand’s first 50 runs with three fours and two sixes before the break and continued afterwards bringing up his fourth one-day half century off 31 balls before he was caught on the boundary by Asad Shafiq off Sohail Tanvir.
Ross Taylor was 23 not out with Guptill at the end of the game at Westpac Stadium.
Pakistan, who had won the toss and opted to bat, never looked comfortable with New Zealand’s pace bowlers getting good bounce, shape and movement away, causing them to prod at deliveries.
“It was a really good start,” Black Caps captain Vettori, who retired from Tests after the 1-0 series loss this week but will continue as one-day captain until after the World Cup, added.
“The swing from Tim at the start was the key in putting them under pressure and we never let them up, so a great start for us in the series.”
Test captain Misbah-ul-haq was again the mainstay of Pakistan’s batting effort with 50, though the rest of the side failed to build any meaningful partnerships, with Kiwis Hamish Bennett and Jacob Oram flirting with hat-tricks.