Pakistan vs New Zealand ended in a convincing victory for the Black Caps, who secured a five-wicket win in the tri-series final in Karachi. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Will O’Rourke (4-43), Mitchell Santner (2-20), and Michael Bracewell (2-38), put on a disciplined performance to restrict Pakistan to a below-par 242 in 49.3 overs. In response, fifties from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham guided New Zealand to a comfortable chase, finishing the job with 28 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles on a Sluggish Pitch
Pakistan vs New Zealand began with a surprising decision from Mohammad Rizwan to bat first after winning the toss. Karachi has historically favored teams batting second, but Pakistan wanted to test their ability to set a target ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, their approach backfired on a dry, two-paced pitch that made batting difficult.
New Zealand’s bowlers took control from the outset, with Will O’Rourke delivering a fiery opening spell. Fakhar Zaman was the first to fall, chipping a soft catch to mid-wicket. His early dismissal put immediate pressure on the batting side.
Babar Azam, coming in at No. 3, showed early promise and reached a significant milestone of 6000 ODI runs, becoming the joint-fastest to achieve the feat alongside Hashim Amla. Despite his good start, he failed to convert it into a big score, gifting a return catch to Nathan Smith for 34. Saud Shakeel, promoted to No. 3 in an attempt to stabilize the innings, was bowled by Bracewell’s arm-ball, continuing his struggles at that position.
Pakistan’s middle order then looked to rebuild, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha putting together a gritty partnership. However, they found it difficult to accelerate, with the sluggish surface making run-scoring challenging. Rizwan, after struggling to find fluency, played one onto his stumps just after hitting O’Rourke for a six. Salman followed soon after, misjudging a shot against Bracewell.
With wickets falling at regular intervals, Pakistan’s lower order had to battle to reach a competitive total. Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, and Naseem Shah chipped in with useful runs in the final overs, pushing Pakistan to 242. While it was a fighting total, it was clear that they were at least 20-30 runs short of a winning score.
New Zealand’s Calm and Clinical Chase
Pakistan vs New Zealand took an interesting turn when the Black Caps began their chase. Pakistan’s pacers found movement early on, with Naseem Shah striking in his first over to dismiss Will Young LBW for a duck.
With an early setback, New Zealand needed stability, and Kane Williamson, along with Devon Conway, provided just that. The duo stitched together a 71-run partnership, absorbing the pressure and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Williamson looked fluent, while Conway struggled for timing but managed to hang in. Just as it seemed they would take complete control, Salman Agha produced a vital breakthrough, dismissing Williamson for 34.
Conway, who had never looked entirely comfortable, eventually fell to a sharp short ball from Naseem Shah. At 108/3, the game was still in the balance, with Pakistan hoping to stage a comeback. However, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham ensured there were no further hiccups.
Their 87-run partnership effectively sealed the match, with Latham benefiting from Pakistan’s poor fielding. A few dropped catches and a missed run-out opportunity proved costly, as both batters made the most of their chances.
Mitchell rotated the strike efficiently and found timely boundaries, while Latham mixed caution with aggression to keep the required run rate under control. By the time both were dismissed, the result was all but certain. Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips completed the chase, guiding New Zealand to victory in 45.2 overs.
Key Takeaways from Pakistan vs New Zealand
- New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass – The Black Caps’ disciplined bowling attack, particularly O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul, played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan.
- Pakistan’s Inconsistent Batting – Despite good starts from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships and post a formidable total.
- Missed Opportunities Cost Pakistan – Dropped catches and poor fielding allowed New Zealand to chase the target without much pressure.
- Mitchell and Latham’s Match-Winning Stand – Their composed partnership ensured New Zealand never felt the scoreboard pressure, guiding them to a well-paced chase.
Final Scores
Pakistan: 242 in 49.3 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 46; Will O’Rourke 4-43, Mitchell Santner 2-20, Michael Bracewell 2-38)
New Zealand: 243/5 in 45.2 overs (Daryl Mitchell 57, Tom Latham 56; Naseem Shah 2-43)
Result: New Zealand won by five wickets.
Pakistan vs New Zealand ended in a well-deserved triumph for the Black Caps, who lifted the tri-series trophy in emphatic fashion. As they head into upcoming tournaments with momentum, Pakistan will need to address their batting inconsistency and fielding lapses ahead of the Champions Trophy.
