Agency :
Little-known Haris Sohail and experienced Shahid Afridi hit splendid half centuries to lead Pakistan to a three-wicket win over New Zealand in the first one-day international on Monday.
Sohail, playing in his only fifth ODI, made a career-best unbeaten 85 off 109 balls and Afridi scored 61 off 51 balls to carry Pakistan to 250-7 after New Zealand had reduced the home team to 124-6.
Earlier, Ross Taylor became the first New Zealander to score three successive limited-over centuries by scoring an unbeaten 105 off 135 balls to anchor the Kiwis to 246-7.
“The way Haris and Shahid played, it was really a wonderful performance,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said. “We are looking to try different things because this is the last series before the World Cup and we will try more things in coming games.”
Sohail also fulfilled the fifth bowler spot with a tidy 10-over spell of 0-39 after Pakistan went with only four specialist bowlers as Mohammad Hafeez had been suspended by the ICC due to an illegal bowling action.
The left-handed Sohail turned the tables on the Kiwis with a magnificent 110-run seventh wicket stand with Afridi, who scored his first half century in the last 30 ODIs.
“I think on the back of Ross’ superb knock we had a reasonable total on the board, but we didn’t do the job well with the ball,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “Pakistan played extremely well and deserved to win.”
