The all-rounder Muhammad Abbas shattered a huge record during the first ODI in Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand 2025 played at McLean Park in Napier.
The Pakistan-born cricketer went on to make his fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off 24 deliveries he faced.
Muhammad Abbas surpassed the previous best of Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who had scored a fifty in 26 deliveries on his ODI debut.
New Zealand won the series opener to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After being put into bat, the Kiwis led by Mark Chapman’s second ODI century posted 344/9 in 50 overs at McLean Park.
Chapman inflicted misery upon his favourite opponents once more, slamming a career-best 132 runs off 111 deliveries. A 199-run stand for the fourth wicket between him and Daryl Mitchell revived New Zealand’s after the Pakistan bowlers did well to reduce them 3/50.
#StatChat | 21-year-old Muhammad Abbas rocketed to the fast-ever fifty on ODI debut. His fifty came from just 24 balls, beating the record of 26 balls previously held by Krunal Pandya. #NZvPAK #CricketNation 📷 = @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/ZpUqrVoo30
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2025
Mitchell slammed 76 runs off 84 balls, before Abbas’ blitz steered New Zealand for 344 runs. However, Pakistan looked strong with 249/4 however they went on to lost remaining wickets for 21 runs.
Pakistan lost all 10 wickets for 271 runs and suffered a 73 runs. “The way we started second innings, we went with good intent. When you are near the chase, pressure increases, three-four overs changed the momentum.”
“Pitch was not good early on, difficult to bat on…Chapman played fantastically and put good runs. We need to improve more and take benefit of the toss. We had some new guys in the middle order and it’s difficult because they are playing in challenging conditions,” said Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan after the match.
Meanwhile Kiwis skipper Michael Bracewell said that, “I think it was a great game of ODI cricket, lots of ebbs and flows. You can apply some T20 skills that the young players are learning quickly.”
“It’s great to see ODI cricket still alive I guess. (on bowling main quicks early on) You just try use your resources as best as you can, fortunately it paid off. You roll the dice and luckily it came off for me today.”
“(on Abbas) it’s a great sign for domestic cricket that guys coming in and stepping up and playing the way they play in domestic cricket. To stay in the game, keep fighting, that New Zealand spirit and it’s what we re all about,” concluded Michael Bracewell.
