New Zealand dominate South Africa to secure a spot in the tri-series final

LAHORE: Kane Williamson’s rapid century guided New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket win over South Africa, securing their place in the tri-nation ODI series final at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

Chasing a challenging target of 305, the Blackcaps comfortably reached the required runs, losing just four wickets and finishing with eight balls to spare, thanks to a solid second-wicket partnership between Williamson and Devon Conway.

New Zealand made a steady start, with the opening duo of Will Young and Conway putting up 50 runs. However, their partnership ended just before the batting powerplay when Eathan Bosch dismissed Young, who made 19 off 31 balls.

Williamson and Conway then formed a dominant partnership, adding 187 runs for the second wicket. The partnership ended when Conway was dismissed for 97 off 107 balls, falling just three runs short of his sixth ODI century. His knock included nine fours and a six.

Debutant Senuran Muthusamy briefly disrupted New Zealand’s chase by removing Daryl Mitchell (10) and Tom Latham (0) in consecutive deliveries. This left New Zealand at 251/4 in 38.3 overs, needing 54 more runs from 69 balls.

Williamson, however, received valuable support from Glenn Phillips at the other end and guided his team to a comprehensive victory. Williamson finished unbeaten on 133 from 113 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes, while Phillips remained not out on 28.

For South Africa, Muthusamy took two wickets, while Junior Dala and Bosch claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, South Africa posted a competitive total of 304/6 after being put in to bat, thanks to strong contributions from Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder.

The Proteas’ innings got off to a rough start when they lost captain Temba Bavuma (20) in the eighth over, with the score at just 37 runs. Breetzke then combined with Jason Smith for a 97-run second-wicket partnership. Their partnership was broken when Smith was run out for 41 off 51 balls.

The Proteas suffered another setback when wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne (1) was dismissed by Michael Bracewell in the 27th over, leaving the score at 132/3.

Breetzke and Mulder then combined for a crucial 131-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which came off just 114 balls. New Zealand pacer Matt Henry broke the stand in the 46th over, dismissing Breetzke, who top-scored for South Africa with 150 off 148 balls, featuring 11 fours and five sixes.

After Breetzke’s departure, Mulder accelerated the innings, contributing a valuable 64 off 60 balls, including five fours and a six, before falling to Will O’Rourke in the penultimate over.

For New Zealand, Henry and O’Rourke each took two wickets, while Bracewell added one.