PAK vs NZ, 1st ODI: Naseem, Rizwan star as Pakistan gain lead 

Naseem Shah bagged a five-wicket haul (Source: Twitter/@TheRealPCB)

Pakistan were head and shoulders above New Zealand as Naseem Shah, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan led them to a six-wicket victory in the first ODI of the three-match series.

Pakistan's batters impose dominance

Chasing 256 runs, Pakistan were rocked early as Imam-ul-Haq fell inside the powerplay. However, skipper Babar and opener Fakhar Zaman prevented damage for a while, stitching a 78-run partnership to make the hosts sit at top of their opposition.

After Zaman got bowled by Michael Bracewell, Babar and Rizwan carried on with the show. Although Babar was soon outdone by Glenn Phillips, Rizwan continued going.

While New Zealand seemed to have threw in the towel, they claimed the wicket of Haris Sohail. Nonetheless, it fit in the idiom of too little, too late for Kane Williamson and Co. as Rizwan along with Agha Salman drew a six-wicket win in the 49th over for Pakistan.

Naseem's five-for sinks New Zealand 

Opting to bowl first, Pakistan were right on the money from the first over as Naseem bamboozled Devon Conway for a golden duck.

Although most of the Kiwi batters gained starts, they failed to cash on as Pakistan's spinners Usama Mir and Mohammad Nawaz produced fine spells. 

While the spin duo pinned down New Zealand's top-order, Naseem clasped and crushed the lower middle-order and tailenders that kept the visitors on the hook.

Tom Latham and Bracewell's 40s took New Zealand to 255/9 at the end of 50 overs.

Brief scores: 

New Zealand - 255/9 (50)

Michael Bracewell 43 (42), Tom Latham 42 (52);
Naseem Shah 5-57 (10), Usama Mir 2-42 (10)

Pakistan - 258/4 (48.1)

Mohammad Rizwan 77* (86), Babar Azam 66 (82);
Michael Bracewell 2-44 (10), Glenn Phillips 1-35 (6)

Pakistan won by six wickets

Read more: Shadab Khan responds to criticism over playing foreign leagues over national duty