Naseem and Rizwan shine, Pakistan wins the first ODI

Pakistan, after an average Test series performance, bags the first ODI victory against New Zealand by six-wickets. The Pakistani skipper Babar Azam chose to bowl first at the toss and things kept on going in the favour of the team from there on. Naseem Shah, the 19-year-old pacer, started the bowling brilliantly by taking a wicket in the first over itself and sending the opener Devon Conway back to the dressing room. He went on take a five-wicket haul in the match 5-57 and put the guests under pressure. His outstanding performance in the match, got him named as the man of the match. Other bowlers also played their part and it was a happy day for the debutant Usama Mir who got two wickets on the day, one of them being the big wicket of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (26).

The New Zealand batting wrapped up 255-9 at the end of their 50 overs without any batsman scoring a 50 or a 100 at the National Stadium Karachi.

The Pakistani batters played with a lot more freedom and we saw some good performances throughout the spell. Mohammad Rizwan (77*), skipper Babar Azam (66) and Fakhar Zaman (56) helped Pakistan seal the victory with 11 balls in hand.

The victory of the Pakistan team came as reprieve for the them and that too without their key players Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi in the squad.

Naseem Shah, who scored a fiver in the match is only four matches old and his performance was the difference in the first ODI. He now has 15 wickets in his kitty which is most by any bowler after their first four matches.

The second and third ODI matches will also be played in the National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday and Friday. Pakistan now has 1-0 lead in the three ODI match series.