New Zealand Beat Pakistan To Win Tri Nation Series

KARACHI: A four-wicket haul from Will O’Rourke, combined with half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, propelled New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over hosts Pakistan, securing the tri-nation ODI series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Chasing a modest 243-run target, the Blackcaps comfortably reached the finish line with 28 balls to spare, losing five wickets in the process.

However, their chase began on a shaky note as opener Will Young (5) fell to Naseem Shah in the second over with just five runs on the board. Kane Williamson then steadied the innings, stitching a crucial 71-run stand with Devon Conway for the second wicket.

Pakistan found a breakthrough in the 18th over when Salman Ali Agha removed Williamson, who scored 34 off 49 balls, including three fours and a six. Conway added 31 more runs alongside Mitchell before Naseem struck again, dismissing the left-handed opener for 48 off 74 balls, laced with five boundaries.

Mitchell and Latham then took charge, forging a decisive 87-run partnership to put New Zealand in control. Mitchell top-scored with a 58-ball 57, hitting six boundaries before departing, while Latham contributed 56 off 64 deliveries, finding the fence five times.

Latham’s dismissal in the 45th over left New Zealand needing just 11 runs, which Glenn Phillips ensured with an unbeaten 20-run cameo, sealing the win in the 46th over.

For Pakistan, Naseem claimed two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Agha picked up one each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan managed 242 before being bowled out in 49.3 overs, despite a crucial fourth-wicket stand between skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.

The hosts got off to a rocky start, losing in-form opener Fakhar Zaman in the fourth over to Will O’Rourke with just 16 runs on the board. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam attempted to stabilize the innings with a 30-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 54/3 in 11.5 overs.

Saud struggled for eight runs off 14 balls, while Babar contributed 29 off 34, striking five boundaries, including a six. Rizwan and Agha then provided some stability, adding 88 runs before Rizwan’s departure in the 32nd over, followed by Agha five overs later, reducing Pakistan to 161/5.

Rizwan top-scored with a cautious 46 off 76 balls (four fours, one six), while Agha made 45 off 65 deliveries with one four and a six.

Tayyab Tahir and Khushdil Shah tried to build momentum, but both fell within eight deliveries of each other. Tayyab played an aggressive 38 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and a six.

In the lower order, Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah added vital runs, sharing a 39-run ninth-wicket stand. Ashraf made 22 off 21 balls (two fours) before falling on the first ball of the final over, while Naseem chipped in with 19.

O’Rourke was New Zealand’s star with the ball, claiming 4-43 in 9.3 overs, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner took two wickets each.