Pakistan made 287 for nine in 50 overs, a remarkable recovery considering the disastrous start they had after captain Younus Khan chose to bat first on a good track.

Paceman Shane Bond was in fine rhythm early on, finding good pace and movement, and he dismissed Salman Butt and Younus Khan for ducks in successive overs even before Pakistan opened their account.

Afridi’s arrival, however, changed the complexion of the game, with the all-rounder taking the aerial route to launch the counter attack. It was a matured innings as he preferred to play the waiting game initially before going for the big hits.

When he entered the scene, Pakistan were in a spot of bother with four batsmen already back in the pavilion for a score of 75. But the century partnership between Afridi and Latif brought Pakistan back in to the match, setting the stage nicely for Akmal to dominate the hapless Kiwis attack. Latif hit only two boundaries in his 112-ball knock.

Afridi, who scored his last half-century against Zimbabwe in Multan last year, made 70 from 50 balls, including three massive sixes and four fours, while Akmal upped the tempo a bit further, smashing 67 from 43 balls. He hit five fours and four sixes. It was a fine display of counter attacking from Pakistan as 137 runs came in the last 15 overs and 206 off the last 25. The last 10 overs went for 107.

Pace bowler Jacob Oram finally got Afridi’s wicket as he was caught at short fine-leg in the 39^th over. Latif followed two overs later, bowled by Vettori’s intelligent arm ball.

Akmal and Abdul Razzaq added 86 runs in seven overs for the seventh wicket and ensured that Pakistan have enough runs on the board.

Though Bond started in stunning fashion, he ended up leaking 61 runs from his 10 overs. Only New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori managed an economic spell of 2-34. Tim Southee, Ian Butler and Jacob Oram picked one wicket each, with Butler’s seven overs costing 54.

Younus’ bad form continued here as well as he lasted only three balls with Bond striking with a full delivery in his second over. The skipper’s attempt for a square drive ended in an easy catch for McCullum behind the wicket.

Mohammad Yousuf played a responsible knock of 30 before Guptill’s direct hit from the cover point ended his innings. Vettori made a crucial breakthrough in the 23^rd over, bowling the dangerous Umar Akmal for 30 with a quicker delivery.

Pakistan left out middle-order batsman Shoaib Malik while allrounder Razzaq returned to the side after a two years gap. New Zealand decided to leave out paceman Kyle Mills, who is nursing a shoulder injury.

The second and third matches will be played here on Friday and Monday.

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com