HARIS Sohail and Shahid Afridi combined to secure Pakistan an unlikely three-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI of a five-match series.

Their seventh-wicket partnership of 110 hauled Pakistan back into the contest after they were 86 for five at one point and looked way off making their target of 247.
Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 135-ball 105 had propelled New Zealand into a strong position, but the Black Caps ultimately paid for his lack of support as no other Kiwi managed to score more than 27 runs.
Before Sohail entered the fray Pakistan were all over the place themselves, but his unbeaten 85 off 109 balls anchored their innings, with Afridi making a key contribution of 61.
When Taylor arrived at the crease New Zealand were 44 for two and in need of inspiration after Mohammad Irfan took the early scalps of Dean Brownlie (14) and Kane Williamson (10) in the first nine overs.
Taylor had a much-needed steady pair of hands and by the time he brought up his 86-ball half-century Anton Devcich (26), Tom Latham (13) and James Neesham (one) had all been sent back to the pavilion as the Black Caps went on to 126 for five.
In Luke Ronchi, Taylor had his first semblance of support as they built a partnership of 44 before Ronchi (23) became Irfan’s third and final victim. Vettori (27) then came in and made a stand of 58 with Taylor, but that was as good as it got for New Zealand.
Taylor wrapped up his century with a single in the final over, despite Wahab Riaz’s lifter catching him on his right thumb and going on to strike him on the neck. He finished with a final-ball boundary, while Nathan McCullum was 13 not out as New Zealand finished 246 for seven.
After 13 overs in reply Pakistan looked in real trouble on 41 for three, having already lost Mohammad Hafeez (six), Asad Shafiq (five), and Ahmed Shehzad (28).
Sohail wisely defended his wicket while Younis Khan (four) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (13) also fell cheaply and by the time he brought up his 73-ball maiden 50, Sarfraz Ahmed (26) had also walked.
But then Sohail and Afridi got to work and when Afridi was run-out for 61 Pakistan needed just 12 off as many balls.
Fittingly Sohail wrapped up the win with his fifth four with three balls remaining as Pakistan finished 250 for seven.

(PA Sport)