Shoaib sets up easy win over Kiwis

Pakistan cruised to victory by six wickets over New Zealand in the first one-day international in Auckland.  

The tourists reached their winning target of 150 at the end the 45th over, with Yousuf Youhana unbeaten on 30 and Shahid Afridi on four.

The win was set up by a blistering spell of fast bowling by man-of-the-match Shoaib Akhtar in his first game for Pakistan in 10 months.

Akhtar took five for 19 off 6.3 overs, claiming the last five New Zealand wickets in the space of 10 balls.

It reduced New Zealand from 142 for five in the 32nd over to be all out inside 36 overs.

Pakistan had few problems in their run chase, with opener Saeed Anwar's 48 off 85 balls and a 58-run stand between Inzamam-ul-Haq and Youhana setting up the win.

New Zealand put in an accurate bowling performance despite defending a small total, with spinner Daniel Vettori taking an excellent two for 21 off 10 overs.

Chris Harris' solitary wicket drew him level with Richard Hadlee on the New Zealand one-day record of 158 wickets.

The second game in the five-match series is a day-nighter in Napier on Tuesday.