NZ end losing run with big win over Pakistan

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – New Zealand ended an 11-match  losing streak in emphatic fashion today, crushing Pakistan  by nine wickets in their first one-day international at Westpac  Stadium.
New Zealand’s opening combination of Jesse Ryder (55) and  Martin Guptill (40 not out) made a mockery of the troubles  Pakistan had with the drop-in pitch as New Zealand raced to  their target of 125 for the loss of one wicket in 17.2 overs.
Ryder and Guptill brought up the first 50 runs inside six  overs and were then forced to take the scheduled tea break after  New Zealand had earlier bowled the visitors out for 124 in 37.3  overs.
Tim Southee took a career-best 5-33, while wicketkeeper  Brendon McCullum took five catches in an innings for the fourth  time.
“Instead  of giving any credit to the pitch we should give  credit to the New Zealand bowlers, particularly Tim Southee,”  Pakistan coach Waqar Younis told reporters.
“He swung the ball and put it in the right areas. Swinging  the ball is one thing but putting it in the right areas… we  just kept nicking him.”
Ryder scored 32 of New Zealand’s first 50 runs with three  fours and two sixes prior to the break and continued afterwards  bringing up his fourth one-day half century off 31 balls before  he was caught on the boundary by Asad Shafiq off Sohail Tanvir.
Ross Taylor was 23 not out with Guptill at the end of the  game.
“Jesse and Martin like to bat together, they’re good  friends… and they played really well and enjoyed playing on  that wicket,” New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said.
Pakistan, who had won the toss and opted to bat, never  looked comfortable with New Zealand’s pace bowlers getting good  bounce, shape and movement away, causing them to prod at  deliveries.
“It was a really good start,” Vettori added.
“The swing from Tim at the start was the key in putting them  under pressure and we never let them up, so  a great start for  us in the series.”
Test captain Misbah-ul-haq was again the mainstay of  Pakistan’s batting effort with 50, though the rest of the side  failed to build any meaningful partnerships, with both Hamish  Bennett and Jacob Oram flirting with hat-tricks.
Bennett finished with 3-26 and Oram 2-33.
The next match is on Wednesday in Queenstown.