Pakistan registered a comfortable 5-wicket win against New Zealand and chased down the target of 289 with 9 balls to spare. The win marked his 500th win in the ODI format. Pakistan became the third team after Australia and India to reach the 500-win mark, achieving the landmark in their 949th ODI. Australia top the list with 594 wins, followed by India at 539. The feat came after Pakistan made their ODI debut in February 1973, and picked up their first win in the format in their second ODI against England at Nottingham in August. 1974.
Pakistan had to work for their 500th ODI win after New Zealand were put into bat, then posted a total of 288/7 thanks to an impressive 113 from Daryl Mitchell and a quickfire 86 from opener Will Young.
Fakhar Zaman opened the innings for Pakistan and laid a solid foundation with partner Imam-ul-Haq.
The 33-year-old Zaman scored a brilliant 117 off 114 balls while Imam hit 60 as the duo put on 124 runs for the first wicket.
Captain Babar Azam also contributed vital runs before falling just one run short of his half-century, while batting mainstay Mohammad Rizwan scored 42* off 34 balls to help his team complete the chase in 48.3 overs.
Both New Zealand and Pakistan have secured their direct qualification places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 which will be played in India in October-November.
Tom Latham’s side have impressed in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League cycle, currently topping the table with 16 wins from 24 matches. Pakistan are fifth in the table with 13 wins from 21 matches.
Both the teams would look to make the best of the remaining four ODIs of the series with the focus on preparations for the marquee event fast approaching.