• New Zealand registered a clinical five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final of the ODI tri-series at the National Stadium. Karachi.

  • Will O’Rourke bagged the Player of the Match award for his outstanding four-wicket spell.

New Zealand clinch ODI tri-series with commanding 5-wicket win over Pakistan in the final
Pakistan vs New Zealand (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

New Zealand registered a clinical five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final of the ODI Tri-Nation Series at the National Stadium in Karachi. Chasing a target of 243, the Black Caps reached the total in 45.2 overs, driven by strong performances from Daryl Mitchell (57), Tom Latham (56) and Devon Conway (48). Earlier, Pakistan posted 242 after contributions from Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Salman Agha (45), but Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul kept them in check. New Zealand’s composed chase ensured they lifted the trophy with 28 balls to spare.

Pakistan’s struggles with the bat

Pakistan opted to bat first but failed to build strong partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar Zaman (10) and Saud Shakeel (8) fell cheaply, while Babar Azam (29) looked fluent but was dismissed in a caught-and-bowled dismissal. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha steadied the innings with a crucial 88-run stand, but neither could capitalize to post a big score. Tayyab Tahir’s aggressive 38 off 33 balls gave Pakistan some momentum, but late wickets restricted them to 242. O’Rourke (4/43) led the bowling attack effectively, with support from Michael Bracewell (2/38) and Mitchell Santner (2/20).

Also READ: PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam equals Hashim Amla’s historic ODI record in the Tri-Series final

New Zealand’s well-paced chase in the ODI tri-series final

New Zealand got off to a shaky start as Naseem Shah dismissed Will Young early, but Conway and Kane Williamson ensured stability with a composed 71-run partnership. Salman Agha broke the stand, dismissing Williamson (34), and Conway followed soon after for 48. However, Mitchell and Latham took charge, adding 87 runs to tilt the game in New Zealand’s favor. Mitchell’s fluent 57 and Latham’s 56 guided the team close to victory, and Glenn Phillips’ quickfire 20 not out ensured they crossed the finish line with ease. Naseem (2/43) was Pakistan’s most effective bowler, but the total proved insufficient against New Zealand’s well-structured batting effort.

Will O’Rourke and Daryl Mitchell shine in title victory

O’Rourke’s outstanding four-wicket spell was instrumental in restricting Pakistan below 250, ensuring New Zealand had a manageable chase. His crucial wickets, including Rizwan and Fakhar, kept Pakistan from accelerating in the final overs. On the batting front, Mitchell’s solid knock proved pivotal, with his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries easing the pressure. Tom Latham provided ideal support, and New Zealand’s composed approach highlighted their batting depth. With this win, New Zealand claimed the tri-nation series title, showcasing superior balance and execution in all departments.

Also READ: Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed predicts the winner of Champions Trophy 2025

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