Southee, Ryder Star As New Zealand Thump Pakistan

Southee, Ryder Star As New Zealand Thump Pakistan

Tim Southee (right) was in fine form as he took five wickets in Wellington

©REUTERS / Action Images

Tim Southee took five wickets before New Zealand cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first One-Day International in Wellington. Scorecard

Southee returned five for 33 as Pakistan were dismissed for just 124 - a score which New Zealand had little difficulty in overhauling, managing to do so in just 17.2 overs.

Southee removed openers Kamran Akmal for eight and Mohammad Hafeez without scoring and wickets continued to tumble during Pakistan's disappointing innings before they were bowled out in 37.3 overs, Southee going on to dismiss Asad Shafiq (4), Misbah-ul-Haq (50) and Shahid Afridi (15).

Misbah's rich vein of form continued but he was the only Pakistan batsman to impress, facing 88 balls, hitting three fours and a six as Hamish Bennett grabbed three for 26 and Jacob Oram two for 33.

New Zealand's new opening partnership of Martin Guptill (40 not out) and Jesse Ryder (55 not out) then put on 84 in ten overs to extinguish any hopes Pakistan might have had of getting back into the game, Ryder thumping six fours and two sixes in his 34-ball cameo.

Ross Taylor closed out the game with an unbeaten 23 as the home side finished on 125 for one.

The second match in the six-game series is in Queenstown on 26th January.

© Cricket World 2011