Karachi: Pakistan faced a five-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand as the visitors comfortably chased a 243-run target to win the Tri-Nation Series final at the National Bank Stadium.
A stellar bowling performance by Will O’Rourke, who claimed four wickets, was complemented by half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, guiding the Blackcaps to a convincing victory with 28 balls to spare.
Chasing a modest total of 243, New Zealand had a rocky start as opener Will Young was dismissed for just five runs by Naseem Shah in the second over.
However, skipper Kane Williamson and Devon Conway stabilized the innings with a crucial 71-run partnership. Salman Ali Agha provided Pakistan with a breakthrough in the 18th over, dismissing Williamson for 34 off 49 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six.
Conway, who looked settled at the crease, managed 48 off 74 balls with five boundaries before Naseem struck again, breaking a 31-run stand with Mitchell.
Mitchell and Latham then steered New Zealand towards victory, putting up an 87-run partnership. Mitchell top-scored for the Blackcaps with 57 off 58 balls, striking six boundaries, before being dismissed. Latham played a solid hand, scoring 56 off 64 balls, hitting five fours before walking back in the 45th over.
Glenn Phillips added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 20, ensuring New Zealand crossed the line in the 46th over.
In Tri-Nation Series For Pakistan, Naseem Shah bagged two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Agha picked up one each.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan struggled to post a competitive total, managing 242 before getting bowled out in 49.3 overs.
The innings got off to a rocky start as in-form opener Fakhar Zaman departed early, falling to Will O’Rourke in the fourth over with only 16 runs on the board. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam attempted to stabilize the innings but were dismissed in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 54/3 inside 12 overs.
Babar scored 29 off 34 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six, while Saud contributed a mere eight runs off 14 balls.
Agha and captain Mohammad Rizwan formed an 88-run stand, leading a recovery effort. Rizwan remained the top scorer for Pakistan with 46 off 76 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, while Agha added 45 off 65 balls.
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Pakistan suffered another collapse, slipping to 161/5 after their dismissals. Tayyab Tahir (38 off 33) and Khushdil Shah attempted to stabilize the innings but failed to capitalize.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf (22 off 21) and Naseem Shah (19) contributed vital runs at the death, sharing a 39-run ninth-wicket stand before Pakistan folded in the final over.
New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 43 runs in 9.3 overs, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner picked up two wickets each.
Playing XIs
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand XI: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke
New Zealand’s well-rounded performance ensured a well-deserved Tri-Nation Series victory, leaving Pakistan with lessons to learn ahead of future fixtures.
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