Boult hat-trick gives New Zealand ODI victory against Pakistan

New Zealand

Trent Boult became the third New Zealand bowler to claim an ODI hat-trick as his side defeated Pakistan by 47 runs in the first game of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Pace spearhead Boult reduced Pakistan to eight for three in their chase of 267 after he dismissed Fakhar Zaman (one), Babar Azam (nought) and Mohammad Hafeez (nought) in the third over.

He finished with figures of 3-54 as Pakistan were bowled out for 219 in 47.2 overs.

Batsman Ross Taylor top-scored with 80 for the Black Caps while wicketkeeper Tom Latham struck 68 off 64 balls to lead the tourists to 266 for nine after they won the toss and batted at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

In response Pakistan crumbled to 85 for six, before Sarfraz Ahmed (64) and Imad Wasim (50) added 103 for the seventh wicket.

However, once Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed dragged a Colin de Grandhomme delivery onto his stumps New Zealand were almost home and dry.

Grandhomme took 2-40 while Lockie Ferguson finished with 3-36.

Boult exposed Pakistan’s batting woes early on, bowling Zaman off his pads before having Azam caught at slip and then trapping Hafeez leg-before with a sharp inswinging delivery.

He joined fast bowlers Danny Morrison (v India at Napier in 1999) and Shane Bond (v Australia at Hobart in 2007) as the only New Zealanders to take an ODI hat-trick.

Imam-ul-Haq (34) and Shoaib Malik (30) added 63 for the fourth wicket but both fell in successive overs before the Sarfraz-Wasim stand briefly reignited hopes.

The second game of the three-match series takes place at the same venue on Friday.

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