LAHORE, Pakistan: A masterful century by Kane Williamson powered New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the second match of the Tri-Nation Series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday, qualifying for the final of the tournament.
Chasing a challenging target of 305, the Black Caps reached the total in the 49th over with eight balls to spare, thanks to Williamson’s unbeaten 133 and Devon Conway’s composed 97-run knock.
New Zealand made a steady start with openers Will Young and Conway putting on a 50-run partnership before Eathan Bosch dismissed Young for a cautious 19 off 31 balls.
Williamson then joined Conway, and the pair stitched together a match-defining 187-run stand for the second wicket, guiding their side towards a comfortable position.
However, Conway fell painfully short of a century, dismissed for 97 off 107 balls, an innings studded with nine fours and a six.
His departure triggered a brief collapse as debutant Senuran Muthusamy struck twice in successive deliveries, removing Daryl Mitchell (10) and Tom Latham (0), leaving New Zealand at 251-4 in 38.3 overs.
With 54 runs still needed off 69 deliveries, Williamson remained composed and found a reliable partner in Glenn Phillips (28*), as the duo steered New Zealand to victory. Williamson’s innings, spanning 113 balls, included 13 boundaries and two sixes.
For South Africa, Muthusamy claimed two wickets, while Bosch and Junior Dala picked up one apiece.
Breetzke’s record-breaking debut
Earlier, South African debutant Matthew Breetzke produced a stunning knock, scoring 150 runs off 148 balls to propel his team to a competitive total of 304-6.
His innings, featuring 11 fours and five sixes, set a new record for the highest individual score on an ODI debut, surpassing the previous best of 148 by West Indies’ Desmond Haynes in 1978.
South Africa’s innings had a shaky start, losing captain Temba Bavuma (20) in the eighth over with just 37 runs on the board. Breetzke then combined with Jason Smith for a 97-run partnership, but Smith’s dismissal for 41 in the 25th over halted their momentum.
Further trouble followed as Kyle Verreynne (1) fell cheaply to Michael Bracewell, reducing South Africa to 132-3. However, Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder resurrected the innings with a 131-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Breetzke eventually perished in the 46th over, caught off Matt Henry’s bowling, but not before leaving an indelible mark on his ODI debut. Mulder continued to accelerate, scoring a quickfire 64 off 60 balls before being dismissed in the penultimate over.
For New Zealand, Henry and Will O’Rourke bagged two wickets each, while Bracewell chipped in with one.
Glenn Phillips continues his power-hitting brilliance 💫
Huge six off Shamsi 🚀#3Nations1Trophy | #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/HcdYeDmqdi
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 10, 2025
New Zealand had won the toss and elected to field first. The victory marks their second consecutive win in the tournament after defeating Pakistan in the opening match. South Africa, on the other hand, were playing their first game of the series.
The Black Caps made one change, with Conway replacing the injured Rachin Ravindra, who sustained a head injury while attempting a catch against Pakistan.
New Zealand Playing XI
Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Ben Sears, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke
South Africa Playing XI
Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
