Black Caps crushed in opener

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A woeful batting performance has seen the Black Caps lose the opening ODI against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi by 138 runs today.

Set 288 to win New Zealand struggled throughout their innings with four middle order batsmen failing to reach double figures as the side slumped to 149 all out in 39.2 overs.

A half century from Aaron Redmond was the only highlight as the Otago opener along with skipper Daniel Vettori tried to revive a New Zealand innings that was struggling at 50 for four.

The pair put on 69 for the fifth wicket before Redmond was trapped LBW by Saeed Ajmal for 52. Vettori was bowled by Shahid Afridi for 38 just 20 runs later before New Zealand lost their final four wickets for 10 runs.

New Zealand started the day on a positive note with Shane Bond removing Salman Butt and Younis Khan within the first two overs to leave Pakistan two down for no runs.

Pakistan then slumped to 184 for six before Shahid Afridi (70 from 50 balls) and Kamran Akmal (67 from 43 balls) hit nine boundaries and seven sixes between them to put their side in a strong position at the break.

Vettori was the best of the New Zealand bowlers with 2-34 from 10 overs while Nathan McCullum had a day to forget going for 29 runs from just three overs, followed by a golden duck at the crease.

The second match takes place on Friday night/Saturday morning New Zealand time.