Pakistan-born Muhammad Abbas had a dream debut for New Zealand in the first ODI against Pakistan. With his team in need of a strong finish, Abbas smashed a 26-ball 52 runs, pushing New Zealand to a massive total of 344/9 in 50 overs. Abbas departed in the final ball of the innings. After losing their top order early, the home side found themselves struggling at 50/3. However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell joined hands to stitch together a brilliant 199-run partnership. Mitchell made an impressive 76 before getting out, while Chapman top-scored for New Zealand with a superb 132 off 111 balls. Just when it seemed like New Zealand was set for a massive total, Pakistan clawed their way back with quick wickets. At 306/8 in the 47th over, it looked like the home side might struggle to reach 320, but Abbas had other plans. His explosive cameo gave New Zealand the push they needed, as they crossed the 340-run mark and ended up with 344/9 in their 50 overs. In response, Pakistan began the chase well as all their top order batters got into double figures. The openers Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafique added runs for the first wicket, while Babar Azam top-scored with 78 from 83 balls. Salman Ali Agha also smashed a half-century while batting at number five. However, none of the lower-order batters even got to the double figures as Pakistan fell 73 runs short of the target. New Zealand pacer Nathan Smith was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets. Also Read: 'My goal is to win the trophy for MI this year': Rohit Sharma Muhammad Abbas breaks Krunal Pandya's record Meanwhile, the Kiwi debutant Abbas etched his name in the record books by reaching his half-century in just 24 balls, becoming the fastest player in ODI history to score a fifty on debut. The previous record belonged to India's Krunal Pandya, who had scored a fifty in 26 balls in 2021. In 2023, Alick Athanaze equalled Pandya's record against the UAE. #StatChat | 21-year-old Muhammad Abbas rocketed to the fast-ever fifty on ODI debut. His fifty came from just 24 balls, beating the record of 26 balls previously held by Krunal Pandya. #NZvPAK #CricketNation 📷 = @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/ZpUqrVoo30 — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2025 Pakistan and New Zealand will face off once again on April 2nd. After losing the T20I series by 1-4, Pakistan will be keen to win the next two ODI matches to take the series.