New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets in the tri-nations series final at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium. Stunning efforts from bowler Will O’Rourke and batter Daryl Mitchell helped the Black Caps win.
O’Rourke led the bowling assault with 4-43, limiting Pakistan to 242 runs. Pakistan’s batting order collapsed early on as spinners Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell exerted pressure. Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan scored 46 runs, Salman Agha 45, and Tayyab Tahir 38, but they failed to score a meaningful total.
New Zealand’s opener Will Young was bowled for five by Pakistan’s Naseem Shah while chasing 243. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson added 71 runs for the second wicket to stabilize the innings. Williamson fell for 34, but Conway hit 48 before Naseem struck again.
Daryl Mitchell’s calm 57 off 58 balls and Tom Latham’s 56 turned the game around. They put New Zealand on the verge of victory with an 87-run stand. Latham and Glenn Phillips (unbeaten on 20) won in 45.2 overs with clinical precision.
Except for Naseem Shah’s 2-43, Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to control New Zealand batters. New Zealand will face Pakistan again in the Champions Trophy opening, and the win boosts their confidence.
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam scored 6,000 ODI runs in record time, but his team lost. New Zealand’s all-around performance bolstered their series lead.
