PAK vs NZ: Pakistan Becomes Only The Third National Team To Win 500 ODI Matches

Pakistan National Cricket Team became only the third national side to win 500 ODI matches in history. This came after their win in the first ODI against New Zealand.

The Men in Green took on the Black Caps in the first of 5 ODIs in the series. After restricting the guests to 288/7 in 50 overs, the hosts chased the target down with nine balls to spare, winning by 5 wickets. Fakhar Zaman was named the Player of the Match for his 117-off-114.

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Having played their first ODI in 1973, against New Zealand, Pakistan have now followed Australia and India to become the third team to win 500 One Day Internationals.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “This Is Not Club Cricket” – Rashid Latif Slams Pakistan Players For Prioritizing Mohammad Rizwan’s Century Over Team Score

Pakistan took 949 matches to reach the milestone. 92 of their wins came against Sri Lanka, 73 against India, 63 against West Indies, 57 against New Zealand, 34 against Australia, and 32 each against England an Bangladesh to name a few.

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Australia has won 594 ODIs out of 978 played to emerge as the most dominant side in the format’s history. While India, who are the only team to have played 1000 ODIs, have won 539.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “We Don’t Have A Champion Team As Of Yet; Looking To Build One” -Pakistan’s Head Coach Grant Bradburn After T20I Series vs New Zealand

Pakistan is eyeing the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, 31 years after their only triumphant campaign

Pakistan became the fourth nation to win the ICC Cricket World Cup when they won the trophy in 1992 under Imran Khan’s captaincy. 31 years on from their only triumphant campaign in the tournament’s history, they are looking to repeat the feat in 2023, this time on the turf of their arch-rivals, India.

Having reached the semi-finals and finals of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup respectively, the Asian powerhouse will look to do one better in the ODI format.

Ahead of the World Cup in October-November, Pakistan has a lot of series to prepare for their campaign. After the ongoing New Zealand series end, Babar Azam and Co. will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in July. They will then take on Afghanistan for three ODIs in UAE.

The biggest test before the World Cup for the team would be to host Asia Cup 2023 in September, as the hosts will look to win it all after losing to Sri Lanka in the final last time round.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: “I Just Want Pakistan To Win The World Cup”- Naseem Shah

Pakistan have a crucial year ahead of them, with the reputations of several big-name players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on the line. They will take on New Zealand in the second ODI on April 29.

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