New Zealand triumph over Pakistan to secure tri-nation series title

KARACHI: New Zealand defeated Pakistan to win the tri-nation cricket series final played in Karachi.

Pakistan set a target of 243 runs for New Zealand, which the host team successfully chased down with five wickets in hand. Daryl Mitchell scored 57, Tom Latham 56, and Devon Conway 48 to lead New Zealand’s batting charge. 

For Pakistan, Naseem Shah took two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Agha Salman, and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one wicket each. 

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss in the Karachi match and opted to bat first. The team was bowled out for 242 runs in 49.3 overs. 

Among the top scorers for Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan made 46, Agha Salman 45, and Tayyab Tahir 38. Other contributions included Fakhar Zaman (10), Babar Azam (29), Saud Shakeel (8), Khushdil Shah (7), Faheem Ashraf (22), Shaheen Afridi (1), and Naseem Shah (19). Abrar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 1. 

For New Zealand, Will O’Rourke took four wickets, while Michael Bracewell claimed two.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat first. He stated that the pitch looks dry and they want to put runs on the board. Rizwan also said that the win against Sri Lanka has given them momentum, and that they will try to do their best. The men in green only have one change in their squad, as Faheem Ashraf is replacing Muhammad Hasnain.

On Wednesday, Pakistan secured a spot in the tri-nation series final after a record-breaking chase of 353 runs, defeating South Africa by seven wickets in the third match of the tournament.

In the Karachi encounter, Pakistan successfully chased down the mammoth target in the 50th over, losing just four wickets, thanks to a brilliant 260-run partnership between captain Muhammad Rizwan and vice capitan Salman Ali Agha.

The vice capitan Agha top-scored with 134 runs, while capitan Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122. Tayyab Tahir also stayed not out with four runs.

Before their turn, Fakhar Zaman contributed 41, Babar Azam scored 23, and Saud Shakeel managed 15 before getting out.

For SA, Wiaan Mulder claimed two wickets, while Corbin Bosch took one.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, SA posted 352 for five in their allotted 50 overs.

Heinrich Klaasen was the standout performer with 87 runs, followed by Matthew Breetzke (83) and captain Temba Bavuma (82).

Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder scored 22 and two runs, respectively. Kyle Verreynne (44) and Corbin Bosch (15) remained unbeaten.

Meanwhile for Pakistan, Shaheen Shah took two wickets, while Khushdil Shah and Naseem Shah picked up one each.

The standout performances of the innings came from captain Muhammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha, both scoring magnificent centuries.

Rizwan reached his fourth ODI century in 106 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes.

Salman Ali Agha, on the other hand, brought up his maiden ODI century in 87 balls, hitting 13 boundaries.

Chasing a target of 353, Pakistan had scored 317 for three in 45 overs at the latest update.

Earlier, SA had set a challenging 353-run target for Pakistan in the crucial tri-series match. Winning the toss in Karachi, SA opted to bat first and dominated the Pakistani bowlers.

Yet Pakistani players played under mounting pressure, chasing record-breaking target of 353 runs, and defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the third match of the tournament.