Pakistan have beaten the Black Caps by six wickets in the opening one-dayer in Karachi.
The Black Caps have been beaten in the first ODI against Pakistan. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Fast bowler Naseem Shah picked up five wickets before the trio of Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan all scored half-centuries as Pakistan chased down a target of 256 with 11 balls to spare.
Put in to bat, the Black Caps posted 255 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Michael Bracewell scoring 43 and Tom Latham 42.
Opener Zaman (56) and captain Azam (66) stitched together a partnership of 78 runs, with Rizwan then scoring an unbeaten 77 off 86 balls to guide Pakistan over the finish line and help them take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Bracewell was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, dismissing Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, with Tim Southee and Glenn Phillips also taking a wicket apiece.
It was 19-year-old Naseem's second five-wicket haul in international cricket.
"A good performance is fun only when the team wins. Everyone bowled well. It was reversing, and I just bowled to my strength," Shah said.
None of New Zealand's batters were able to build on their starts.
Spinner Usama Mir had a debut to remember, taking the wickets of Kane Williamson and Latham.
The second ODI of the series will be held at the same venue on Wednesday night (NZT).
