WELLINGTON: New Zealand\'s Ross Taylor (L) with team mate Grant Elliott celebrate after winning the first one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Westpac Stadium here Saturday. — AFP Photo WELLINGTON, Jan 31 (AFP): New Zealand cruised to a seven-wicket win over an underdone Pakistan in the first of their two one-day internationals in Wellington Saturday.
After removing Pakistan for 210 in the 46th over, New Zealand reached their target in the 40th over with Grant Elliott now out 64 and Ross Taylor unbeaten on 59.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum credited his side's tight fielding with setting the platform for victory.
"It was probably the best we've seen all summer and that creates so much intensity and allows the seamers to be able to really get into the game," he said.
"Obviously the run chase was very well planned by Grant and Ross."
The comfortable victory for New Zealand underscored Pakistan's lack of preparation two weeks away from the start of the World Cup.
It was their first ODI since they were beaten 3-2 in a home series against New Zealand before Christmas, and the lack of match play was evident from the moment they lost the toss and were put in to bat.
The batsmen lacked timing and later the bowlers struggled with direction against a New Zealand side which had just completed a 4-2 series win over Sri Lanka.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq believed they were about 70 runs short of a competitive total.
"In the first 10 overs we were nowhere, we had no momentum," he said.
"They bowled really well and we just kept on losing wickets. I think 280-290 could have been a competitive total on this pitch."
New Zealand launched into their chase at more than six an over with McCullum, returning to the line-up after sitting out the last game against Sri Lanka, blasting a rapid 17 before he was gone in the fourth over.
Tom Latham fell for 23 and Martin Guptill, who struggled against the Sri Lankans, found the less pressured Pakistani bowling more to his liking as he posted 39.
He was gone just after New Zealand passed the 100 mark in the 18th over, 11 overs quicker than it took Pakistan to reach three figures.
Elliott and Taylor then led New Zealand home, adding 112 in an unbeaten fourth wicket stand.
Pakistan's innings only nudged over the 200 mark thanks to a 71-run partnership in 38 balls by Misbah and all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
New Zealand 213 for 3 (Elliott 64*, Taylor 59*) beat Pakistan 210 (Afridi 67, Misbah 58, Elliott 3-26) by seven wickets.
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
