Nicholls saves face for New Zealand in first ODI against Pakistan

The New Zealand number 10 was left bloody and bruised and retired hurt as the Black Caps set Pakistan a total of 281.

The late assault took off in the 46th over, bowled by Wahab Riaz, from which Henry hit two sixes and McClenaghan one. Pakistan were super confident of their appeal.

After being 99 for six before the halfway mark, batsman Henry Nicholls made 82 in a crucial 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket with all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who made 48.

Anwar Ali also took three wickets and Mohamhad Irfan claimed two as Pakistan dominated New Zealand’s top order. It’ll be important for the New Zealand players to grab the opportunities presented to them.

Then Muhammad Amir struck twice and consecutive overs to give Pakistan an upper hand in the match so far.

New Zealand Probable Playing XIT, Latham, K Williamson (Capt), M Guptill, C Anderson, C Munro, A Milne, T Boult, L Ronchi (WK), G Elliott, M Santner, M Henry. Both were caught by Sarfraz.

New Zealand continued their good form and defeated Pakistan by 70 runs in the 1st One-Day International (ODI) at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

However, according to Azhar Ali, he would focus on captaining Amir, and helping create an environment in which the bowler could thrive.

“The wicket looks quite hard and the wind factor is there, so we’ll try and figure out a combination that will suit these conditions”, acknowledged Ali ahead of the game.

Trent Boult (4-4) was on hand to clean up the tail end, bowling Amir and Ifran to leave the tourists all out for 210, securing the opening win of the ODI series for New Zealand.

Man-of-the-match Nicholls, only in the side as cover for the injured Ross Taylor, said it was a matter of making the most of his opportunity. The match is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 25, at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.