• Chapman blasts ton in New Zealand win

    Published on

    Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Nathan Smith claimed four wickets as New Zealand eased to a 73-run win over Pakistan in the first ODI in Napier on Saturday.

    Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of an imposing 344-9 at McLean Park before Pakistan’s promising chase capitulated to be all out for 271 in the 45th over.

    The tourists looked on track at 249-3, at that point needing 96 runs to win, with more than 11 overs remaining.

    However, seamer Smith (4-60) helped to spark a late collapse, with the last seven wickets falling for 22 runs.

    Earlier, the recalled Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 off 83 balls but it was his dismissal that started the rot.

    Salman Agha struck a defiant 58 off 48 but he was let down by a series of loose shots from lower-order teammates as New Zealand moved one-up in the three-match series.

    Chapman’s 111-ball innings featured 13 fours and four sixes, lifting the Black Caps out of early trouble after they were asked to bat and stuttered to 50-3.

    The left-hander put on 199 for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell (76 off 84) before the home side’s innings was finished off in record-breaking fashion by debut all-rounder Muhammad Abbas.

    Pakista-born Abbas struck 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced.

    Pakistan’s seam-heavy attack capitalised on lively bounce but they were punished later.

    Left-arm quick Akif Javed claimed 2-55 on his international debut, but the best figures were recorded by part-time seamer Irfan Khan, who took 3-51 off five expensive overs at the death.

    Both teams feature numerous changes to those who played out a five-match T20I series, won 4-1 by New Zealand.

    The second match of the series is in Hamilton on Wednesday.

    © Agence France-Presse

    Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

    Post by

    Dylan Johnson