KEY POINT
- Will O’Rourke declared man of the match
- Salman Ali Agha picked as player of the series
KARACHI: Unbeaten New Zealand clinched the tri-nations series trophy defeating host Pakistan by 5 wickets at National Stadium Karachi on Friday.
Chasing a modest total of 242 on a slow surface, the black caps never came under pressure and chased down the target comfortably with 28 balls and 5 wickets left.
The final was the third consecutive win for the black caps in the tri-series defeating host Pakistan in the inaugural match by 78 runs, South Africa by 6 wickets, and again the host Pakistan by 5 wickets.
The opener Young vanished earlier scoring 5, Williamson and Conway contributed 71 (96) making the foundation to carry on the match. Later, D. Mitchell and T. Latham accommodated 87 runs.
Conway made 48, Williamson 34, D. Mitchell 57 (58), T. Latham 56 (64), Phillips who remained unbeaten in the series scored 20 (17).
Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2 wickets conceding 43 runs. Shaheen Afridi, Abrar, and Salman Agha got a wicket each.
New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke was declared the player of the match.
Earlier, Will O’Rourke spun a web of wickets, claiming four scalps to dismiss Pakistan for a modest 242 in the final showdown of the tri-nation ODI series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan hoped for a strong start, but O’Rourke struck early, sending Fakhar Zaman back to the pavilion for just 10 runs.
Saud Shakeel (8) and Babar Azam attempted to stabilise the innings, stitching together a 30-run partnership for the second wicket before Shakeel fell victim to Michael Bracewell’s cunning delivery.
Babar looked composed during his 34-ball innings, scoring 29, but his dismissal came through a straightforward return catch to Nathan Smith, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 54-3.
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Rizwan, along with Salman Ali Agha, stepped up to rescue the innings, forging a resilient partnership of 88 runs for the fourth wicket until O’Rourke made his mark once more.
Rizwan emerged as the top scorer for his side, crafting a patient 46 runs off 76 balls, adorned with four boundaries and a six. Salman, too, contributed significantly, scoring 45 runs from 65 balls, including a four and a six, before falling to Bracewell.
New Zealand’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, snatching wickets at crucial junctures to stifle any hopes of a resurgence from Pakistan. Tayyab Tahir added a brisk 38, while Faheem Ashraf (22) and Naseem Shah (19) combined for a vital 39 runs for the ninth wicket. O’Rourke capped off Pakistan’s innings by claiming the final wicket of Naseem, concluding the score at 242.
Reflex catch taken by Abrar! ☝️
Daryl Mitchell falls after reaching his half-century 🏏#3Nations1Trophy | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/sqijl4V68S
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 14, 2025
In the end, O’Rourke’s impressive figures of 4-43 highlighted his pivotal role, while Bracewell and Mitchell Santner each chipped in with two wickets, sealing the match for New Zealand.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke
