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Captain Kane Williamson‘s first international half-century after a long time couldn’t do much for New Zealand as Pakistan defeated the hosts in the T20 Tri-Series final to bag the prestigious trophy at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday.
After losing three wickets at 74 during the chase of 164, batting cameos from Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz lifted Pakistan to a brilliant five-wicket win.
The duo added a crucial stand of 56 runs for the fourth wicket to accelerate Pakistan’s chances of winning the summit clash. Haider scored a quickfire 31 off 15 with the help of three fours and two sixes.
Nawaz, however, stayed until the end and took the tourists home with five wickets in hand and three balls to spare. The star all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 38 from 22 deliveries, including a couple of fours and three maximums.
Earlier, after losing the toss, the Black Caps posted 163/7 in 20 overs, thanks to Williamson’s classy knock. The 32-year-old scored his first half-century in any format since the 2021 T20 World Cup final when he scored a fifty against Australia in Dubai.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah (2/38) and Haris Rauf (2/22) picked up two wickets each, while Shadab Khan (1/30) and Nawaz (1/33) bagged one scalp apiece.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
All smiles for the victors 🏆✌️#PAKvNZ | #NZTriSeries pic.twitter.com/OV6HKUFhmL
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2022
A blistering partnership by Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 22) & Haider Ali (31 off 15) along with a final over SIX from Iftikhar Ahmed sealing the Bangla Wash T20 Tri-Series for @TheRealPCB #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/KeyJvNEjnD
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 14, 2022
Good series to win before the WC. Off to 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7ofIkvOq8s
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 14, 2022
Well done boys 🙌🏼🇵🇰🏆 #PakvsNz pic.twitter.com/vFnMESeosd
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) October 14, 2022
Alhamdullilah! 🙌
A morale-boosting win indeed! @iamhaideraly, and @HarisRauf14 kiyaa baat hai app loggon ki! Well-deserved MOTM @mnawaz94! @T20WorldCup here we come!! 🏏 pic.twitter.com/26mTJ38nXY
— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) October 14, 2022
Congratulations Team 💚 for a great win against 🇳🇿. Brilliant performance from all around & esp @mnawaz94 for his superb knock lead the team again to victory & secured tri-nation series. It will obviously boost the moral of boys ahead of WCT20i. Look forward & ready to move on. pic.twitter.com/ux5V6BGqL3
— Haris Rauf (@HarisRauf14) October 14, 2022
Pakistan cross the finish line comfortably to win the Tri-series final at Christchurch 🏆#NZvPAK | 📝 Scorecard: https://t.co/bAWntNkXEj pic.twitter.com/aSmkgir84p
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2022
Kane Williamson's highest scores in his last 30 international innings:
85 v Australia (T20 WC Final)
59 v Pakistan (Triseries Final)
52* v India (WTC Final)
49 v India (WTC Final)#NZvPAK— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 14, 2022
Nice confidence boosting achievement by Pakistan heading into the World Cup.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 14, 2022
Mohammad Nawaz in the tri-series:
107 runs
Average 53.50
Strike-rate 159.706 wickets
Average of 27.83
Economy-rate 8.78#NZvPAK #NZTriSeries pic.twitter.com/2896GhTeDS— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 14, 2022