Lahore-Born New Zealand Debutant Muhammad Abbas Breaks India Star's All-Time ODI Record With Blitz vs Pakistan

New Zealand all-rounder Muhammad Abbas on Saturday shattered a huge record during the 1st ODI against Pakistan at the McLean Park in Napier. On debut against the country of his birth, Abbas struck 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced. Abbas, who was born in Lahore, surpassed the previous best of Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who had scored a fifty in 26 balls on his ODI debut.

The moment 21-year-old Muhammad Abbas registered the fastest-ever fifty on ODI debut! Follow LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ + & DUKE and @SportNationNZ Live scoring | https://t.co/CvmR1mQN5I #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/6KtLNYbLIh

Meanwhile, New Zealand won the series-opener to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After being put into bat, the Kiwis, led by Mark Chapman's second ODI century, posted 344/9 in 50 overs at the McLean Park.

Chapman inflicted misery upon his favourite opponents once more, slamming a career-best 132 off 111 balls. A 199-run stand for the fourth wicket between him and Daryl Mitchell revived New Zealand's after the Pakistan bowlers did well to reduce them to 3/50.

Mitchell slammed 76 off 84 balls, before Abbas' blitz steered New Zealand close to 350. For the visitors, Akif Javed claimed 2-55 on his international debut, but the best figures were recorded by part-time seamer Irfan Khan, who took 3-51 off five expensive overs at the death.

In reply, Pakistan looked on track at 249-3 after half-centuries from the recalled Babar Azam and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha. Babar top-scored for Pakistan with 78 off 83 balls, but it was his dismissal that sparked a batting collapse.

The visitors lost seven wickets in the space of 22 runs,