New Zealand Clinches Tri-Nation Series Title with Comprehensive Win Over Pakistan
Karachi, The Gulf Observer: New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan in the final of the Tri-Nation Series at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Friday, securing a comfortable five-wicket victory. With this win, the Blackcaps claimed the coveted series title, chasing down a target of 243 runs with 28 balls to spare.
Pakistan, who batted first, posted a total of 242/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Despite a strong bowling performance, which included a four-wicket haul from New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke, Pakistan’s total proved insufficient as the visitors chased it down efficiently.
O’Rourke’s exceptional bowling performance earlier restricted Pakistan to a manageable total, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs from 9.3 overs. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner also contributed, each claiming two wickets. New Zealand’s chase began with a setback as opener Will Young was dismissed for just 5 runs. However, steady partnerships followed, with Kane Williamson (34) and Devon Conway (48) adding 71 runs for the second wicket.
After Williamson’s dismissal in the 18th over, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham shared a match-defining 87-run stand, with Mitchell contributing 57 runs and Latham making 56. Latham’s departure with just 11 runs needed from the target did not faze the Blackcaps, as Glenn Phillips guided New Zealand to the target with an unbeaten 20 runs. New Zealand reached 243/5 in the 46th over.
Pakistan’s bowling effort saw Naseem Shah claiming two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha each took one wicket. Despite their efforts, Pakistan couldn’t defend their target, allowing New Zealand to clinch the series title.
Pakistan’s Innings
Pakistan faced early setbacks after opting to bat first. Will O’Rourke’s early breakthrough dismissed opener Fakhar Zaman for 16 runs in the fourth over. The hosts then found themselves in trouble at 54/3 after quick dismissals of Saud Shakeel (8) and Babar Azam (29), who had hit five boundaries and a six.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha built a crucial partnership of 88 runs, with Rizwan top-scoring for Pakistan with 46 runs from 76 balls. Agha contributed 45 runs from 65 balls, including one four and one six. However, the partnership ended when Rizwan was dismissed in the 32nd over, followed by Agha’s departure shortly after, leaving Pakistan at 161/5.
Tayyab Tahir (38 from 33 balls) provided some resistance with a quick-fire knock, but Pakistan’s middle-order collapsed. Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah added a valuable 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but Pakistan’s innings ended with Ashraf’s dismissal on the first ball of the final over.
New Zealand’s Bowling Attack
Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul was the highlight of New Zealand’s bowling effort, with Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell contributing with two wickets each. New Zealand’s bowlers managed to apply consistent pressure throughout Pakistan’s innings, restricting them to a subpar total.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke.
