Pakistan 275 for 6 (Youhana 125, Younis 69, Tuffey 2-24) beat New Zealand 122 (Akhtar 6-16) by 153 runs
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Shoaib Akhtar and batsman Yousuf Youhana combined to help Pakistan record a 153-run win over New Zealand in a stormy limited overs international.

Akhtar recorded career-best figures of 6 for 16 as New Zealand were bowled out for 122 in 30 overs at the National Stadium. But Pakistan's victory was marred by crowd trouble during the their innings which saw New Zealand's players walking off the pitch after two of their fielders were hit by objects thrown from the crowd.

Youhana followed up his 129 against Sri Lanka in the final of the Sharjah Cup on Wednesday with 125 to provide the backbone of Pakistan's 275 for 6 from 50 overs. Man-of-the-Match Akhtar ripped through the New Zealand batting line-up never allowing them to settle in. Only four batsman - Matthew Horne, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris and Daryl Tuffey - made double figures.

Akhtar's previous best figures were 5-19 against New Zealand in Auckland last year. "I am delighted with my form and I am gearing up for more wickets in the next matches," Akhtar said afterwards.

New Zealand started well, reaching 53 without loss by the tenth over but Pakistan captain Waqar Younis forced open the floodgates when he removed Nathan Astle for 25. Wasim Akram then trapped Lou Vincent for 5 and Horne was run out for 22, leaving New Zealand at 60-3.

However Akhtar dealt the knockout punch with three quick wickets to leave the tourists floundering on the ropes at 77 for 6. He dismissed Craig McMillan for 8 - caught by Saqlain Mushtaq - for his 100th one-day wicket in his 60th match, and then clean bowled Jacob Oram for a duck. Debutant Robbie Hart was next to return to the pavilion without scoring, caught behind by Rashid Latif.

Akhtar then picked up three more tail end wickets to seal New Zealand's fate. The tourists weren't helped by losing their captain Stephen Fleming and allrounder Scott Styris to a stomach upset before the game, while wicketkeeper batsman Chris Nevin, battling a hamstring injury, also had to watch from the pavilion.

Earlier the 27-year-old Youhana, regarded as Pakistan's most elegant batsman, hit 14 boundaries and a six off 155 balls to set the ball rolling for Pakistan. Daryl Tuffy struck two early blows as early as in the third over when he removed belligerent opener Shahid Afridi for 1 and Imran Nazir for 7 to leave Pakistan at 15 for 2.

Inzamam-ul Haq and Youhana took the score to 49 before Haq holed out at deep square-leg off Ian Butler for 18, maintaining his run of poor scores. Cheered by a packed house of 34,000, Youhana and Khan did the repair work and took Pakistan past 100 in the 25th over. Youhana reached his 50 off 86 balls with eight fours, and a six off legspinner Brooke Walker.

The 20-minute break in play because of crowd trouble came with Pakistan sitting comfortably at 178 for 4. New Zealand acting captain McMillan walked off after Tuffy and allrounder Andre Admas were hit by objects thrown from the stands. New Zealand team management said they followed instructions from match referee Mike Procter and security manager Reg Dickson.

When play got underway again, Khan miscued a lofted shot off Butler and was caught at mid-on by Lou Vincent for an 81-ball 69. Youhana continued to punish the New Zealand bowlers as Pakistan added 92 runs in the last ten overs with allrounder Abdur Razzaq chipping in with a quickfire unbeaten 30 off just 18 balls. Youhana was finally dismissed when he played uppishly off Jacob Oram and was caught by Brooke Walker.

The second day-night match will be played at Rawalpindi on April 24 and the third in Lahore on April 27.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd