NZ vs PAK 2018, 1st ODI: Kane Williamson's hundred Puts NZ 1-0 Ahead in the ODI Series

A confident New Zealand side, boosted by another Kane Williamson batting masterclass, dispatched Pakistan by 61 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in game one to take a 1-0 lead on the five-match one-day international series. Pakistan arrived on a nine straight win in ODI’s including the Champions Trophy final against India in June but was completely ousted by the host.

Skipper Williamson arrived after Colin Munro and Martin Guptill (48) rattled up 83 off 12.3 overs. Munro continued his role, clearing the long boundaries twice before he was nicked off by Hasan Ali, the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler who bagged 45 wickets last year.

Hasan (3-61) showed glimpses of class and a fiery temperament, sending Munro on his way and skittling Ross Taylor with a ripper that jagged back off his length.

Williamson got a chance when he was dropped by his counterpart Sarfaraz Khan on 26 before a 59-ball half-century became a 106-ball hundred, Williamson rotated the strike brilliantly and came down the pitch swiftly to clear mid-on. Willaimson registered his 10th ODI hundred.

Henry Nicholls registered 50 off 43 balls, showing his ability as a finisher and helping them to post 315 runs on the board. Young leg-spinner Shadab Khan ( 0-49) was economical but couldn’t take his name on the wicket list.

No team had ever been set more than 300 to win an ODI in Basin Reserve but Pakistan’s powerful top-six should have done well on a decent batting track. However, the chase was well over when Tim Southee struck twice in the first over removing Azhar Ali and Babar Azam.

Fakhar Zaman ( 82*) rode out the storm and showed his sharp eye and fast hands, putting Mitchell Santner twice into the crowd, but it was a lone hand from the impressive left-hander.

Wickets tumbled on from the other end as Pakistan was striving at 54 for 5 when Todd Astle trapped Sarfaraz right in front of the wicket. With Southee 3-22 in his seventh over, drizzle settled in as the players went out of the park ending Pakistan’s winning streak.

The second ODI is scheduled to be played at Saxton Oval, Nelson on January 9.

Brief Score: New Zealand: 315/7 ( Williamson 115, Munro 58) Hasan Ali 3/61

Pakistan 166/6 ( Fakhar 82*, Shadab 28) Tim Southee 3/22

New Zealand won by 61 runs (DLS Method)

Here is the newsfeed:

Ab de Villiers is the Best in the World- Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Every IPL Game is Like an AFL Grand Finale- Ricky Ponting

Pat Cummins Likely to Get Rest Ahead of South Africa Tour