White Ferns beat Pakistan in opening ODI

Suzie Bates.
Photo: Michael Thomas / www.photosport.nz

The White Ferns won the series opening ODI against Pakistan by 131 runs after posting the team’s highest one-day total in five years.

Sent in to bat, New Zealand scored 365-4 from their 50 overs in Queenstown.

Pakistan were all out in the final over of the game.

The White Ferns’ top four batters all scored half centuries as New Zealand passed 300 runs at home for the first time since 2018.

A 165-run first wicket partnership between Suzie Bates who made 108 – her 13th ODI century – and Bernadine Bezuidenhaut who scored her first ODI 50 and went on to make 86 gave the home side a good platform.

Captain Sophie Devine kept the momentum going pummelling 70 off just 36 balls including six sixes, putting on 107 for the third wicket with Amelia Kerr who made 83.

Kerr did take an injury break when she was hit on the back of head by a stray outfield throw when she was on 51 but she was assessed and continued on.

Nashra Sundhu was the best of the Pakistan bowlers taking 1-52 off her 10 overs.

In reply Pakistan’s openers Muneeba Ali (44 runs off 48 balls) and Sidra Ameen combined for a 110-run partnership.

Sidra was the standout for the visitors with the bat scoring her fourth ODI hundred before she was run out in the 44th over for 105.

The New Zealanders shared the wickets with six bowlers taking at least one wicket each in the win.

Amelia Kerr took 3-44 off 8.5 overs. Lea Tahuhu was the most expensive of the White Ferns bowlers but took two wickets for 49 runs off her 8 overs.

The second ODI is on Friday in Christchurch.