PHOTO: AFP
Azhar Ali and his men opted to chase in the windy conditions and brought the Kiwis to their knees when the first six wickets went down for only 99 runs in 22.1 overs. The Kiwis managed 280 courtesy a heroic stand by Henry Nicholls and the tail-enders.
Nicholls, only in the side as cover for the injured Ross Taylor, made 82 in just his sixth ODI.
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With another new face of New Zealand cricket, Mitchell Santner, they produced a 79-run stand for the seventh wicket after New Zealand.
Tailenders Matt Henry, 48 not out, and Mitchell McClenaghan then bludgeoned Pakistan for 73 off 33 balls before McClenaghan took a vicious blow to the head and retired hurt on 31 with one ball remaining.
Nicholls, Santer and Henry all produced career best figures with the latter smacking four fours and four sixes in his innings.
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Muhammad Amir and Anwar Ali bagged three wickets apiece for Pakistan, while Muhammad Irfan took two for 43 runs in his 10 overs.
Pakistan in their chase, only saw resistance from by Babar Azam (62) and Muhammad Hafeez (42).
Trent Boult bagged four scalps while Grant Elliot accounted for three Pakistan batsmen.
The 2nd ODI will be played on Thursday at Napier.
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