Abu Dhabi: The battle for the Cool & Cool Cup began with New Zealand's Shane Bond's spectacular opening spell and Pakistan's shock omission of Shoaib Malek from the playing eleven.
Towards the end, Shahid Afridi lit up the Zayed Cricket stadium with an entertaining knock helping Pakistan set a competitive total of 287 for nine.
Bond, playing his 75th One-Day match, displayed the art of pace bowling during his opening spell.
Before the start of the match, Bond had remarked: "Everyone speaks about speed but I am happy with the pace I am bowling." Bond is not a tearaway pacer like Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar or Australia's Brett Lee, but he is a dangerous bowler. If he strikes a good line and length with the new ball, the going could get tough for any rival team.
Brilliant deliveries
Pakistan experienced it after winning the toss and electing to bat. Bond struck twice with two brilliant deliveries. The way he trapped Salman Butt was a treat to watch. He moved the fourth ball of the day away and forced Butt to play at it.
Bond also did not allow Pakistan skipper Younus Khan, who is terribly out of form, to settle down. Shaping for a square drive, Khan could do nothing but edge the ball to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum to take his second catch.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori badly needed Bond to perform at his best as his team's jinx with injuries continued unabated. He had to field a team without Kyle Mills, the world's No. 1 ranked One-Day bowler, and his consistent pacer James Franklin.
Mills has a sore shoulder while Franklin is suffering from a stiff back.
The news from the Pakistan camp wasn't good after Khan failed with the bat again. He will be under pressure in the next two matches to get a good score.
The dropping of experienced Malek from the playing eleven raised a few eyebrows.
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said that his team wanted to give the regular openers in the team a chance and had no other alternative but to drop Malek.
Afridi enthralled the spectators with some powerfully hit sixes.
They came seeking entertaining cricket and Afridi and Latif provided them value for money.
Afridi's knock of 70 off 51 balls contained three sixes and four boundaries.
Latif, 23, playing in only his second One-Day match, used the opportunity to display his talent as an opener.
