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New Zealand on Saturday set 337 runs difficult target for Pakistan in second ODI being play in Rawalpindi.
Put into bat first in the second PAK vs NZ ODI, New Zealand piled a mammoth 336/5 in their set of 50 overs at the back of a brilliant century and 98 by Daryl Mitchell and Latham respectively.
After being sent into bat first, New Zealand lost their opener Will Young in the sixth over. Haris Rauf, who ended up taking four wickets in his 10 overs, started the proceedings by removing Young (19).
Pacer Ihsanullah is making his debut for the home side, while Shaheen Afridi has been sidelined due to injury.
Meanwhile, Shadab Khan and Shan Masood have been replaced by Abdullah Shafique and Usama Mir.
Pakistan won the first ODI on Thursday by five wickets, courtesy of a century by opener Fakhar Zaman, and lead the five-match series 1-0.
Earlier, the Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.
Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zealand adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.
Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.
But New Zealand boast recent dominance over Pakistan. Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.
The other matches of the current series are in Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
