The New Zealand cricketers have wrapped up a 47-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Abu Dhabi.
Ross Taylor Photo: Photosport
Chasing 267, Pakistan were bowled out for 219 in the 48th over.
After a shaky start which left them at 78-3 late in the 17th over, the Black Caps rattled up 266-9 in their 50 overs.
A 130-run fourth-wicket partnership between Ross Taylor and Tom Latham resurrected the innings before Latham was dismissed for 68 early in the 42nd over.
Taylor top-scored with 80, his 112-ball innings including five fours.
The Pakistan innings got off to a disastrous start with Trent Boult taking a hat-trick in his second over.
The 29-year-old pace man had only arrived in the United Arab Emirates three days earlier, returning from paternity leave, but clean bowled Fakhar Zaman for one before Babar Azam was caught by Ross Taylor at wide slip and trapping Mohammad Hafeez leg before - both without scoring.
Boult becomes the fifth New Zealander to claim an ODI hat-trick, joining Shane Bond, Emily Drumm, Julie Harris and Danny Morrison. He also becomes the 46th male player in history to claim a men's ODI hat-trick.
Boult said that destructive over had piled earlier pressure on Pakistan.
"A key part of the game is if you can get the ball moving around a little bit, and we all know what early wickets do to chasing totals," he told Sky Sport.
"There's not too many occasions I've been on a hat-trick in a one-day match.
"I've had a bit of a light winter, a couple of months away from the game. But our summer pretty much starts here, and there's a lot of cricket to be played."
The homeside was 8-3 and then 85-6 before fighting back, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed leading the way with a 69-ball 64 before he was bowled by Colin de Grandholme at the end of the 41st over.
Boult finished with figures of 3-54 while Lockie Ferguson took 3-36 off 9.2 overs.
It is New Zealand's 12th straight win over Pakistan in one-dayers.
The next game in the three-match series is on Saturday.
