Napier: Pakistani fighters are looking to dig in as they try to chase New Zealand’s formidable 345-driven goal in the first ODD in the three-match series at McLean Park on Saturday.

Opening of laps for Pakistan, Abdullah Shafique (36) and Usman Khan (39) gave a steady start, but failed to convert it into big scores.

With the score currently 164-3 after Captain Mohammad Rizwan’s (30) dismissal, Babar Azam (45*) and Salman Ali Agha (1*) are on the fold after 29 overs.

Earlier, after he was bat, New Zealand overcame an early setback-to lose the opener Will Young for only one race in the third with the scoring at 1 p.m. 8-1-Turn Mark Chapman’s explosive century drifted the black caps to a competitive a total of 344-9.

Debutant Akif Javed made an immediate influence and claimed his girl Odi-Wicket with a sharp Inswinger to reject Nick Kelly in 15.

Despite a brief attempt at consolidation, Henry Nicholls failed to anchor laps and was dismissed for only 11, once again by Akif, reducing the Kiwis to 50-3 in 12.4 overs. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling kept the pressure on with uniform dot balls and limited New Zealand’s scoring options.

However, Chapman and Daryl Mitchell stabilized laps with a decisive 100-driven partnership, which gradually moved the momentum in favor of the hosts. Their stand not only rebuilt laps, but also put the opposition under pressure, ensuring that New Zealand reached a respectable total.

In the 38th over, Chapman hit a limit for Irfan Niazi’s delivery and brought up his third odine hundred. His glorious knock contained 11 Fires and four sixes, which further proposed New Zealand towards a proper total.

After Chapman’s tonnes, Daryl Mitchell took responsibility with bats and recorded his ninth ode half a century only 74 deliveries.

New Zealand’s record-breaking 199-driven partnership was finally broken by Irfan Niazi, who claimed the decisive wicket of Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell left after scoring 76 out of 84 deliveries and left New Zealand at 249-5 in 41.3 overs.

After his dismissal, Chapman continued his aggressive form and crushed Pakistan’s bowlers all over the earth and increased New Zealand’s overall past with the 300-race mark.

However, Irfan Niazi had other plans when he claimed his second wicket by rejecting the dangerous Chapman after a career-best 132 out of 111 deliveries, with the team’s total amount to 280-5 in 43.3 overs.

Haris Rauf hit twice in the 46th over and removed skipper Michael Bracewell (9) and Mitchell Hay (0) and left New Zealand at 299-7 in 45.5 overs.

Niazi was in excellent form and claimed his third wicket by rejecting Nathan Smith for only two races as the Kiwis continued to lose wickets quickly and slid to 8 down into 46.4 overs.

Debutant Mohammad Abbas showed an aggressive batting approach that chopped her girl Ody fifty from only 24 deliveries, which included three fours and three sixes taking New Zealand’s collected to a competitive total.

For Pakistan, Irfan Niazi lowered three wickets, while Haris Rauf and Akif Javed claimed two wickets each. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali tiled in with a wicket piece.

Playing Xis

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (Capt), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

New Zealand: Nick Kelly, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (CAPT), Muhammad Abbas, Mitch Hay, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke