Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st ODI in Dubai: Sohail, Afridi steer Pakistan to thrilling win

Newcomer Haris Sohail batted with maturity during his maiden one-day international half-century to steer Pakistan to a three-wicket win in the first day-night international against New Zealand in Dubai on Monday.

The 25-year-old left-hander scored 85 off 109 balls and added 110 for the seventh wicket with veteran Shahid Afridi (who hit a 51-ball 61) to rescue Pakistan from a precarious 124-6 and turn it into a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Pakistan, set a daunting 247-run target, were struggling at 40-3 before Sohail added 34 with skipper Misbah-ul Haq (13) and 38 with Sarfraz Ahmed (26) to steady the innings.

With just 13 needed at a run-a-ball, Afridi was run out but Sohail hit Jimmy Neesham for his fifth boundary to seal the win with three balls to spare.

Afridi hit seven boundaries and a six in his 37th one-day fifty.

Earlier, Ross Taylor became the sixth batsman, and first from his country, to score three hundreds in consecutive matches to lift New Zealand to 246-7.

Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas and Saeed Anwar, and South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock have also achieved the feat.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals with Mohammad Hafeez (six), Asad Shafiq (five), Ahmed Shehzad (28) and Younis Khan (four) trudging back to the pavilion with the score barely passing 50.

Paceman Kyle Mills gave New Zealand the breakthrough in the fifth over, bowling Hafeez before Daniel Vettori struck twice and Neesham once.

But Sohail and Afridi rescued Pakistan.

Misbah admitted it was a difficult match.

"It was very tough. Full marks to the way Sohail and Afridi batted and rescued us," he said.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson felt his team didn't capitalise on Taylor's hundred.

"I think on the back of Ross's superb knock we had a reasonable total on the board but it's a shame we didn't do the job well with the ball and Pakistan's middle order came good," said Williamson.

Earlier, Taylor had held together the New Zealand innings after Mohammad Irfan (3-57) had inflicted serious damage on the top order.

Taylor added 58 for the seventh wicket with former captain Vettori (27) in the final overs after steadying the innings during a 44-run sixth wicket stand with Luke Ronchi, who made 23.

Irfan had dismissed opener Dean Brownlie (14) and skipper Kane Williamson (10) in his first five-over spell before returning to take Ronchi's wicket in the 38th over.

Tom Latham was run out for 13 and Neesham was lbw to Afridi for one as New Zealand were left struggling at 111-5.

Paceman Wahab Riaz claimed the wickets of opener Anton Devcich (26) and Vettori to finish with 2-51.

But Taylor kept one end intact, reaching his 27th one-day fifty with a single.

He hit Umar Gul for a six and a four before taking a sharp single to complete his hundred off 133 balls with eight fours and a six.

He hit another boundary off Riaz on the final delivery as New Zealand scored 41 runs in the last five overs.

Pakistan included all-rounder Hafeez as a batsman alone after he was suspended over an illegal bowling action but left out hard-hitting Umar Akmal.

New Zealand were forced to leave out opener Martin Guptil and all-rounder Corey Anderson due to injuries.

The remaining matches will be played in Sharjah (December 12 and 14) and Abu Dhabi (December 17 and 19).

Scoreboard:

New Zealand

A. Devcich c Ahmed b Riaz 26
D. Brownlie c Shehzad b Irfan 14
K. Williamson c Ahmed b Irfan 10
R. Taylor not out 105
T. Latham run out 13
J. Neesham lbw b Afridi 1
L. Ronchi c Younis b Irfan 23
D. Vettori b Riaz 27
N. McCullum not out 13
Extras: (b1, lb4, nb1 w8) 14
Total: (for seven wkts; 50 overs) 246
Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Brownlie), 2-44 (Williamson), 3-63 (Devcich) 4-99 (Latham), 5-111 (Neesham), 6-155 (Ronchi), 7-213 (Vettori)

Bowling: Gul 9-0-49-0, Irfan 10-1-57-3 (3w), Riaz 10-0-51-2 (1nb, 1w), Sohail 10-0-39-0 (3w), Afridi 10-1-36-1 (1w), Shafiq 1-0-9-0

Pakistan

Mohammad Hafeez b Mills 6
Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Vettori 28
Asad Shafiq c Devcich b Neesham 5
Younis Khan c Brownlie b Vettori 4
Haris Sohail not out 85
Misbah-ul Haq c Vettori b Neesham 13
Sarfraz Ahmed c Milne b McCullum 26
Shahid Afridi run out 61
Wahab Riaz not out 9
Extras: (lb1, w12) 13
Total: (for seven wkts; 49.3 overs) 250
Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Hafeez), 2-40 (Shafiq), 3-40 (Shehzad), 4-52 (Younis), 5-86 (Misbah), 6-124 (Sarfraz), 7-234 (Afridi)

Bowling: Mills 10-2-54-1, Milne 10-0-42-0 (1w), Vettori 10-0-40-2, Neesham 9.3-0-62-2 (6w), McCullum 8-0-35-1, Devcich 2-0-16-0 (5w)

Result: Pakistan won by three wickets
Toss: Pakistan
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Joel Wilson (WIS)
Tv umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

Pakistan innings

Sohail pull Neesham to the fine leg fence as Pakistan win the first ODI by three wickets and three balls to spare.

Chasing a target of 247, Pakistan made 250-7 in 49.3 overs thanks to a 110-run stand between Sohail and Afridi.

Sohail remained unbeatenon 85 off 109 balls while Afridi made 61 off 51 hitting seven boundaries and a six.

Riaz paddles Mills off his pads for a boundary. Pak 244-7 in 49 overs.

Pakistan need a run a ball from the last two overs. Pak 235-7 in 48 overs.

However, Afridi departs failing to beat a direct hit from Taylor. Pak 234-7 in 47.5 overs.

Shahid Afridi run out (Taylor) 61 (51b 7x4 1x6)

Pakistan are racing to victory with Afridi in full cry now pulling Neesham round for a boundary.

Afridi finally free his arms slamming a towering six with a helicopter shot off Mills to bring up the 100 partnership with Sohail off 103 balls. Pak 226-6 in 47 overs.

Afridi gets his 37th ODI half century off 47 balls with a couple.

That innings from Shahid Afridi was like turning the clock back to the World T20 in England in 2009 #PakvNZ #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 8, 2014

Afridi finally sweeps Vettori to the midwicket fence. Pak 207-6 in 45 overs.

Pakistan are 200-6 after 44 overs.

Sohail clubs Milne over midon for a boundary. Pak 191-6 in 42 overs.

Afridi pulls Vettori nonchalantly to the midwicket fence. Pak 185-6 in 41 overs.

Pakistan make 32 without loss in the Batting Powerplay. Pak 177-6 in 40 overs.

The partnership between Sohail and Afridi is 50 off 54 balls.

Sohail completes his maiden ODI half century with a boundary off Milne. Pak 174-6 in 39 overs.

The first of many international 50s (and hopefully 100s) for the very talented Haris Sohail #PakvNZ #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 8, 2014

Afridi paddle sweeps Mills for a boundary. Pak 167-6 in 38 overs.

Afridi gets a streaky boundary edging Milne to third man. Pak 161-6 in 37 overs.

Afridi gets a boundary by dabbing Mills to third man. Pak 153-6 in 36 overs.

Pakistan need 102 from 90 balls with Sohail and Afridi in the middle as the Batting Powerplay begins. Pak 145-6 in 35 overs.

Afridi cracks one over the infield to the cover boundary to get going. Pak 137-6 in 33 overs.

Sarfraz does not middle it this time and perishes with Milne taking a superb catch on the boundary. Pak 124-6 in 30.2 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Milne b McCullum 26 (19b 3x4 0x6)

Sarfraz is turning it on sweeping Neesham virtually dragging from off to the fence while Sohail also picks up a boundary. Pak 123-5 in 30 overs.

Sarfraz clubs McCullum down the ground for his first boundary. Pak 110-5 in 29 overs.

Sohail is showing aggressive intent lofting Devcich with sweet timing to the midoff fence. Pak 96-5 in 27 overs.

Vettori takes a spectacular one-handed catch going back to dismiss Pakistan captain Misbah. Pak 86-5 in 25.2 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c Vettori b Neesham 13 (23b 1x4 0x6)

Sohail hits the first maximum for Pakistan clearing the fielder at long on by launching into Vettori. Pak 77-4 in 24 overs.

Misbah almost hits a six lofting McCullum to the long on fence. Pak 69-4 in 23 overs.

Pakistan are in trouble as Younis Khan departs sweeping Vettori straight to Brownlie. Pak 52-4 in 17.2 overs.

Younis Khan c Brownlie b Vettori 4 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Vettori strikes as Shehzad is deceived by a quicker ball trapping him leg before. Pak 40-3 in 12.5 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Vettori 28 (41b 5x4 0x6)

Neesham strikes in his first over as Shafiq goes slicing to Devcich. Pak 40-2 in 11.4 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Devcich b Neesham 5 (17b 0x4 0x6)

Vettori into the attack and bowls a tight opening over. Pak 38-1 in 11 overs.

Pakistan opener Shehzad is on song skipping out and cracking Mills inside out for a boundary. Pak 34-1 in 9 overs.

Shehzad pulls a short ball from Milne to the midwicket fence. Pak 28-1 in 8 overs.

Shehzad gets consecutive boundaries off Mills driving through the covers and whipping to fine leg. Pak 23-1 in 7 overs.

Hafeez is castled by a ball which nipped back off the seam from Mills. Pak 13-1 in 4.5 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez b Mills 6 (17b 0x4 0x6)

Shehzad hits the first boundary of the innings with a classic straight off drive off Milne. Pak 11-0 in 4 overs.

Mills sends down a second consecutive maiden this time to Shehzad. Pak 1-0 in 3 overs.

Mills opens with a maiden to Hafeez. Pak 0-0in 1 over.

New Zealand innings

New Zealand recovered from 111-5 to make a challenging total of 246-7 with Taylor unbeaten on 105 off 135 balls slamming nine boundaries and a six.

Ross Taylor has become the 6th player in ODIs to hit three hundreds in consecutive innings, first non South African/Pakistani. #PAKvNZ

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) December 8, 2014

The Black Caps plundered 78 in the last 10 overs losing just one wicket with Ronchi (23) and Vettori (27) making useful contributions.

Ross Taylor (10103) is the 5th New Zealand player to reach 10000 INTL runs. Fleming 15319, McCullum 12958, Astle 11866, MCrowe 10148 #PAKvNZ

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) December 8, 2014

Ifran claimed three for 57 and Riaz two for 51.

Afridi had an excellent return of 10--1-36-1 while Sohail also had impressive figures of 10-0-39-0.

Taylor completes his ton off 133 balls with a single off Riaz, his 11th century off 138 balls.

It was his third consecutive century in ODIs and second in a row against Pakistan.

Ross Taylor 112* v Ind Hamilton 28-1-2014 102 v Ind Well'ton 31-1-2014 100* today 6th ODI batsman & 1st Kiwi to make 3 100s in a row #PakvNZ

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 8, 2014

Taylor moves into the 90s driving Riaz over te covers for a boundary. NZ 225-7 in 48 overs.

Vettori gives himself room to smash a couple of boundaries before Riaz nails him. NZ 213-7 in 45.4 overs.

Daniel Vettori b Wahab Riaz 27 (25b 3x4 0x6)

Taylor slams Gul over midwicket for the first six of the match and drives through the covers for a boundary. NZ 198-6 in 44 overs.

Black Caps gets 23 for the loss of Ronchi in the Batting Powerplay. NZ 168-6 in 40 overs.

Ronchi departs to brilliant catch by Younis Khan off Irfan being undone by the steepling bounce. NZ 155-6 in 37.4 overs.

Luke Ronchi c Younis Khan b Mohammad Irfan 23 (27b 4x4 0x6)

Shafiq comes into the attack and Ronchi slams one down the ground before the start of Batting Powerplay. NZ 145-5 in 35 overs.

60 balls bowled today by Haris Sohail. In first class cricket he's only bowled 68 balls in total #Cricket #PakvNZ

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 8, 2014

Ronchi cracks two consecutive boundaries on either side of the wicket off Gul.Taylor completeshis 27th ODI fifty in 138 internationals.

Afridi strikes Neesham being adjudged leg before with Pakistan successfully overturning a not out verdict. NZ 111-5 in 28.1 overs.

James Neesham lbw b Shahid Afridi 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Taylor hits the first boundary off Sohail sweeping past backward square leg. NZ 106-4 in 26 overs.

Walk into Dubai International Stadium to watch #PAKvsNZ & greeted by this legend @JontyRhodes8 @OfficialCSA pic.twitter.com/32cV2p7CAc

— Sherita O'Brien (@SheritaO) December 8, 2014

New Zealand are struggling at the halfway stage. NZ 99-4 in 25 overs.

Latham is run out by a direct hit from Younis as Pakistan get another breakthrough. NZ 99-4 in 24.4 overs.

Tom Latham run out 13 (20b 0x4 0x6)

Taylor cuts Afridi past for a boundary.

Taylor tickles Riaz to fine leg for a boundary. NZ 72-3 in 17 overs.

Riaz strikes in his third over as Devcich plays a terrible shot getting an inside edge to be caught behind. NZ 63-3 in 14.3 overs.

Anton Devcich c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 26 (38b 2x4 0x6)

Riaz into the attack and Taylor brings up the 50 of the innings by punching through the covers for a boundary. NZ 50-2 in 11 overs.

5 - Ross Taylor has become the fifth player to score 10,000 international runs for New Zealand (all formats). Made. pic.twitter.com/QByhUzxLkw

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) December 8, 2014

Irfan strikes again with Williamson being undone by the bounce and scooping a skier to Sarfraz. NZ 44-2 in 10 overs.

Kane Williamson c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 10 (19b 2x4 0x6)

Williamson cracks a boundary off Gul courtesy of a misfield by Shehzad. NZ 44-1 in 9 overs.

Williamson gets consecutive boundaries on either side of the wicket, punching Irfan past point and then flicking to midwicket. NZ 38-1 in 8 overs.

Brownlie smacks Irfan through square leg for a boundary but is out next ball with Shehzad taking a brilliant catch at point. NZ 26-1 in 5.5 overs.

Dean Brownlie c Ahmed Shehzad b Mohammad Irfan 14 (14b 2x4 0x6)

Devich cracks Gul past short third man for his first boundary. NZ 10-0 in 3 overs.

Brownlie hits the first boundary of the match slamming the last ball from Gul through cover point. NZ 5-0 in 1 over.

Devich and Brownlie are in the middle for Blacks Cap while Gul opens the attack.

2 - New Zealand lost their first 11 ODIs against Pakistan in UAE but have won the last two meetings there, in November 2009. Change. #PakvNZ

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) December 8, 2014

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to field first.

Pakistan have opted to go with a three-pronged pace attack while there is no room for Akmal.

New Zealand will be missing Guptill and Corey Anderson through injury.

.@coreyanderson78 is named in New Zealand's 30-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. All the best Coza! pic.twitter.com/RWy8Gvo10a

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 8, 2014

Playing XI

New Zealand: Brownlie, Devcich, Williamson, Taylor, Latham, Neesham, Ronchi, Vettori, N McCullum, Mills, Milne

Pakistan: Hafeez, Shehzad, Shafiq, Younis Khan, Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Afridi, Riaz, Gul, Irfan

Preview

Pakistan's hopes of gaining a morale boosting one-day series win over New Zealand ahead of the World Cup next year have been hurt by Sunday's announcement that Mohammad Hafeez has been suspended from bowling because of an illegal action.

Ahmad Shahzad can also bowl, he's a leg spinner, a part time bowler for HBL team.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) December 8, 2014

The 34-year-old - who joins top Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal in being suspended for the same offence - will still be able to bat in the five-match one-day series which begins in Dubai on Monday.

However, he gives Pakistan an option of an extra bowler and his suspension will badly hurt the team's preparations for next year's World Cup.

"It's a setback for us," said team manager and chief selector Moin Khan after Hafeez was suspended by the International Cricket Council.

"Hafeez's suspension can affect our preparations for the World Cup but we have no doubt over his ability as a batsman and he will play on Monday."

Both the teams will remain focused on the World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand in February-March.

The series promises to be a keenly-fought contest after they ended honours even in both the three-Test series and the two-match Twenty20.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq admitted his team can build confidence and momentum.

"This is one of our last chances before the World Cup, to look how we will go into the World Cup so the focus is on that," said Misbah on Saturday.

"Pitches are different here (from Australia and New Zealandwhere the World Cup is being hosted) but I still think the confidence and the momentum of this series will help us and it will not matter even if we are playing on different pitches here."

Pakistan have recalled experienced batsman Younis Khan after dropping him from the three-match one-day series against Australia which they lost 3-0 in October - also played in the UAE.

Misbah believes Younis will provide valuable experience.

"His experience will help us," said Misbah, also hinting Pakistan will go with a specialist opening pair instead of using wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed at the top of the order.

"We want to go in with genuine openers and want the first four batsmen settled before going to the World Cup.

"New Zealand have adaptability and they have allrounders and good spinners who can win matches for their team," said Misbah.

New Zealand's stand-in captain Kane Williamson - Brendon McCullum left after the Tests to prepare for the home series against Sri Lanka - said Pakistan remain a dangerous side even without Ajmal.

"We know it's a big challenge because Pakistan play well here, they have depth and even without Ajmal whichever side they put out is strong," said Williamson.

New Zealand play two Tests and seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka starting later this month.

"There is so much cricket before the World Cup and this series is the focus but we are conscious of the big event," said Williamson.

All-rounder Corey Anderson will return after missing the second Twenty20 as a precautionary measure after being hit by a bouncer in the first Twenty20 on Thursday, but opener Martin Guptill is still being monitored for a tight hamstring.

The remaining one-day matches will be played in Sharjah (December 12 and 14) and Abu Dhabi (December 17 and 19).

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Bilawal Bhatti, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Joel Wilson (WIS)
Tv umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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