Mark Chapman scores a century as New Zealand dominate Pakistan

New Zealand hosted Pakistan for the first one-day international at McLean Park in Napier. On this occasion, Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, won the toss and opted to put New Zealand in to bat. This decision came as a part of a fresh approach for Pakistan after a disappointing run in their recent five-match Twenty20 series, which they lost 4-1. The match took place on a Saturday, with notable changes to both teams, as key players returned to the lineup following the T20 series absence. The match witnessed a remarkable performance by New Zealand's Mark Chapman, who scored a career-best 132 runs. Initially, the team faced a challenging situation after being 50 for 3 in the 13th over, but Chapman, alongside Daryl Mitchell, stabilized the innings with a substantial partnership of 199 runs for the fourth wicket. Their efforts helped New Zealand to an impressive total of 344 for 9 in their 50 overs. Pakistan's bowlers began effectively, utilizing the lively bounce and movement offered by the pitch. However, they ultimately struggled to contain the scoring as New Zealand's batsmen gained momentum. Allrounder Mohammad Abbas also made headlines by scoring 52 runs off just 24 balls, setting a record for the fastest half-century on debut. This explosive contribution at the end of the innings significantly boosted New Zealand's total. The match was crucial for both teams as they aimed to shift gears from the previous T20 series' performances. Pakistan had faced challenges adapting to the bouncy New Zealand pitches, and the return of experienced players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added pressure and expectation for a better showing in the ODI format. As the game unfolded, it highlighted both the upsides of New Zealand’s batting depth and the challenges Pakistan faced in their bowling plans.