NZ-W vs PAK-W, 1st ODI Review: Clinical New Zealand sink Pakistan's ship in series opener

After losing the T20I series by a 1-2 margin, New Zealand got off to a flying start in the ODI leg as they defeated Pakistan by 131 runs in the first game on Tuesday, December 12, at John Davies Oval, Queenstown.

Nida Dar won the toss and opted to bowl first and Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout stitched a sensational opening partnership of 165 off 156 as the visitors looked clueless against the onslaught from the White Ferns. The away side got a lucky break when Bezuidenhout was run-out for a run-a-ball 86.

Amelia Kerr walked out to bat at No. 3 and took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners with her aggressive strokeplay. Bates and Kerr added 82 for the second wicket and the former went on to score a memorable 108 off 104 before being dismissed by Umm-e-Hani.

However, there was no respite for Pakistan as the duo of Kerr and Sophie Devine then added 107 runs off 59 deliveries to help the hosts build on the solid platform given by their opening pair. While Kerr made a 69-ball 83, Devine amassed 70 off just 36 deliveries as New Zealand finished at 365/4 in 50 overs. To make matters worse for Pakistan, their captain left the field after receiving a blow on her face while bowling. She was unable to come out to bat in the second innings.

Chasing a mammoth total, it was imperative for the opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen to get their team off to a good start. They managed to do so as they added 110 runs off 113 deliveries but Ali was dismissed for 44. Ameen went onto score 105 off 116 balls, however, no other Pakistani batter could score more than 14 as the tourists were bundled out for 234. Kerr starred with the ball as she picked up a three-for while Lea Tahuhu got two wickets.

New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series by virtue of their 131-run victory. The second and third ODIs will be held in Christchurch on December 15 (Friday) and December 18 (Monday), respectively.