As New Zealand was asked to bat first by Babar Azam, they could only score 255-9. Naseem, who is 19 years old, took 5 for 57. Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan to 258-4 in 48.1 overs with an unbeaten 77 off 86 balls after being rested for the previous drawn two-test series.
New Zealand’s top ranking in the world is now in jeopardy after the loss, and they must win the next two games of the series to keep the number one position maintained.
On a sluggish pitch, New Zealand hitters struggled to capitalise on promising beginnings and fell victim to the disciplined bowling of Mohammad Nawaz (1-38) and rookie legspinner Usama Mir (2-42).
With a full-pitched delivery, Naseem bowled opener Devon Conway for a first-over duck. The left-hander attempted to flick the fast bowler, but the ball bounced off his back leg and onto his stumps.
Hard-hitting In Haris Rauf’s first over, Finn Allen (29) successfully appealed a lbw ruling against him. Before falling to a superb diving grab by Agha Salman at short extra cover, Allen struck Naseem and Rauf for two boundaries each in the same over.
Mir bowled a twisting ball that smashed back the off stump to scare Kane Williamson on 26 and bind New Zealand with his crisp legspin and googlies.
Before losing to Mir and Nawaz, respectively, Tom Latham (42) and Daryl Mitchell (36) helped rebuild the innings with a half-century stand. In the 32nd over, New Zealand dropped to 147-5.
Before Naseem reappeared and took four wickets in his return stint, Glenn Phillips (37) and Michael Bracewell, who top-scored with 43 off 42 balls, both made solid starts.
Tim Southee stopped Naseem from completing his hat trick after the pacer clean bowled Bracewell and Henry Shipley, who was making his debut.
New Zealand passed 250 runs thanks to Mitchell Santner’s quick 21 and Southee’s 15 runs.
Following the early dismissal of Imam-ul-Haq (11) by offspinner Bracewell (2-44), Babar participated in two half-century partnerships with Zaman and Rizwan.
Before Zaman’s 15th half-century, Latham dropped a difficult edge by the left-hander. Soon after, when attempting a slog sweep against Bracewell, Zaman was clean bowled.
Additionally, Babar avoided two near lbws from the spinners. Latham failed to stump Phillips, a part-time spinner.
Despite having cramps in the second part of the run chase, Rizwan retained his composure and batted. Salman, who was 13 runs in, smashed a straight six against Southee to score the winning run.
Pakistan vs New Zealand First ODI Scorecard
NEW ZEALAND 255/9 (50 OVERS)
Michael Bracewell 43 (42)
Tom Latham 42 (52)
Usama Mir 2/42 (10)
Naseem Shah 5/57 (10)
PAKISTAN 258/4 (48.1 OVERS)
Mohammad Rizwan* 77 (86)
Babar Azam 66 (82)
Michael Bracewell 2/44 (10)
Glenn Phillips 1/35 (6)