QUEENSTOWN: Sidra Amin’s century went in vain as New Zealand women beat their Pakistan counterparts by 131 runs in the first ODI at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Tuesday.

Chasing a mammoth 366, openers Muneeba Ali and Sidra gave Pakistan a strong 110-run start. This opening stand surpassed the previous record of 84 set by Ayesha Zafar and Nahida Khan against White Ferns in Nelson, New Zealand in 2016.

After making a fine 48-ball 44 featuring five fours, left-handed Muneeba was the first batter to return to the pavilion. After her departure, Sadaf Shamas and Bismah Maroof were soon dismissed with 158 runs on the board in the 34th over. Aliya Riaz (14 off 20 balls) and stand-in-captain Fatima Sana (11) were the other batters to touch double figures.

Sidra, who is also the leading run-getter in ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 with 852 runs from 16 matches, scored her third century in the ongoing championship. She struck 12 boundaries in her 117-ball 105.

Pakistan were bowled out for 234 on the penultimate ball of the match.

For the hosts, Amelia Kerr bagged three wickets for 44 while Lea Tahuhu took two for 45 from seven overs.

Fatima was made stand-in skipper on Tuesday after regular captain Nida Dar was taken off the field after being struck on her face while bowling in the 44th over of the New Zealand innings.

After assessing Nida’s condition, the team physio determined that Nida would not take any further part in the game. Sadaf came in to replace Nida after approval by the match referee. The decision on Nida’s participation in the remaining matches of the series in New Zealand will be made in due course.

Earlier after being put in to bat, White Ferns totalled a huge 365 for four in the stipulated 50 overs.

Openers Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout gave the hosts a solid 165-run start. After the departure of Bezuidenhout (86 off 86, eight fours), Kerr and Bates knitted an 82-run partnership, during which Bates brought up her 13th ODI century. She made 108 off 104 balls and struck 11 fours, and was named player-of-the-match.

Following Bates’ (108 off 104, 11 fours) dismissal, captain Sophie Devine and Kerr added a quick-fire 107 for the third wicket. Devine smashed a 36-ball 70 studded with six sixes and two fours while Kerr made 83 off 69 with six fours.

On the second ball of the 44th over, Pakistan captain Nida Dar was hit in the face by a shot played by Devine off her own bowling and had to leave the field. She was later ruled out of the match, and Sadaf was allowed as Nida’s replacement by the match referee.

For Pakistan, Fatima, Nashra Sandhu and Umm-e-Hani bagged a wicket each.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan fast bowler Diana Baig was ruled out of the ongoing ODI series in New Zealand due to a finger injury.

Diana, while fielding in a practice session, suffered an injury to the index finger of her bowling arm. She was taken to a hospital for examination, including an X-ray. The medical reports have confirmed a horizontal fracture in Diana’s index finger.

Both sides will travel to Christchurch on Wednesday to play the remaining two ODIs of the series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Dec 15 and 18.

The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.

Summarised scores:

New Zealand women beat Pakistan women by 131 runs.

NEW ZEALAND 365-4 in 50 overs (Suzie Bates 108, Bernadine Bezuidenhout 86, Amelia Kerr 83, Sophie Devine 70; Umm-e-Hani 1-57); PAKISTAN 234 in 49.5 overs (Sidra Amin 105, Muneeba Ali 44; Amelia Kerr 3-44, Lea Tahuhu 2-45).

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2023