New Zealand v Pakistan, 2014-15
Wisden's review of the first ODI, New Zealand v Pakistan, 2014-15
15-Apr-2016
At Wellington (Westpac Stadium), January 31, 2015 (day/night). New Zealand won by seven wickets. Toss: New Zealand.
New Zealand maintained control throughout, but for the blip of a Shahid Afridi cameo. They passed a target of 211 with more than ten overs in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 112 for the fourth wicket between Taylor, who anchored the innings, and Elliott, whose international redemption continued. The pair quelled the bounce generated by Mohammad Irfan's height, which Elliott described as "like batting on a trampoline", and used their feet deftly to Afridi's spin. Earlier, Afridi had entered with Pakistan 127 for six, but refused to surrender, lashing 67 off 29 balls. In a stand of 71 with Misbah-ul-Haq, he scored 62, Misbah six and Extras three. The Pakistanis' baseball-style pinstripes seemed appropriate as three Afridi strikes cleared the rope, and nine more were spanked for four. His dynamism distracted from respectable bowling which kept Pakistan 40 or 50 short of par, according to their batting coach, Grant Flower. Returning after a groin injury, Mills claimed two for 29 in ten overs - though he was finished by the 22nd over, and able to achieve rhythm in an Afridi-free zone.Man of the Match:G. D. Elliott.
New Zealand maintained control throughout, but for the blip of a Shahid Afridi cameo. They passed a target of 211 with more than ten overs in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 112 for the fourth wicket between Taylor, who anchored the innings, and Elliott, whose international redemption continued. The pair quelled the bounce generated by Mohammad Irfan's height, which Elliott described as "like batting on a trampoline", and used their feet deftly to Afridi's spin. Earlier, Afridi had entered with Pakistan 127 for six, but refused to surrender, lashing 67 off 29 balls. In a stand of 71 with Misbah-ul-Haq, he scored 62, Misbah six and Extras three. The Pakistanis' baseball-style pinstripes seemed appropriate as three Afridi strikes cleared the rope, and nine more were spanked for four. His dynamism distracted from respectable bowling which kept Pakistan 40 or 50 short of par, according to their batting coach, Grant Flower. Returning after a groin injury, Mills claimed two for 29 in ten overs - though he was finished by the 22nd over, and able to achieve rhythm in an Afridi-free zone.Man of the Match:G. D. Elliott.