Watch: Usama Mir kickstarts ODI career with Kane Williamson's wicket, stuns batter with peach

Watch: Usama Mir kickstarts ODI career with Kane Williamson's wicket, stuns batter with peach (Image Source: Twitter)

Pakistan and New Zealand faced off against each other in the first ODI of the three-match series on January 9, Monday and much to the surprise of the Pakistani fans, the cricketer Usama Mir made his debut. For the unversed, it was the Kiwis who batted first after losing the toss and one has to agree that they got off to a shaky start. While Fin Allen fell for 29 runs, Devon Conway, on the other hand, made his way back for a golden duck. 

Mir, on the other hand, started his career in style as he removed the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, bagging his first-ever ODI wicket. To add more, the leg spinner bowled a mid-length delivery in the leg stump line, which turned to rattle the off stumps, leaving Williamson with no answers for the ball. After 22 overs, the Black Caps were reeling at 107/3 with Daryl Mitchell unbeaten at 29 and Tom Latham at 21. 

Watch Usama Mir cleaning up Kane Williamson here: 

A brilliant start to @iamusamamir's ODI career! 💫

Kane Williamson is Usama's maiden ODI wicket 🙌#TayyariKiwiHai | #PAKvNZ
📸 @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/j7kIFCXrI2

— Cric Asia (@thecricasia) January 9, 2023

I don't have to justify myself to anyone: Babar Azam

Prior to the start of the game on Monday, the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam was asked about his captaincy and the veteran gave a fiery reply to the same, saying that he does not have to prove his worth to anyone. Babar claimed that the Pakistani team have done well in white-ball formats so far and would look to do so in the ODI series against New Zealand. 

“I don't have to justify myself to anyone. I know how I am doing. My focus is on performing well for Pakistan" Babar also said the players were excited about the One-Day series beginning at the National Stadium on Monday,” Babar was quoted as saying in the press conference. 

“In white ball formats we have performed well and we want to continue with that momentum against New Zealand although we know they are a very good side and it will be a tough series for both teams,” said the right-handed batter further.