In a thrilling conclusion to the ODI tri-series in Karachi, New Zealand emerged victorious, defeating Pakistan by five wickets to claim the championship title on Friday. The match, held at the National Stadium in Karachi, was not just a testament to New Zealand's cricketing prowess but also a significant dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Pakistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss, set a target of 243 runs, thanks to scores in the 40s each from Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Salman Agha (45). However, the Kiwis, led by a composed Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56), both scoring fifties, chased down the score in just 45.2 overs. Their chase was steady and strategic, showcasing the depth of New Zealand's batting lineup.
On the other hand, Pakistan fielders dropped Tom Latham twice and he made them pay heavily! Their poor fielding did not help the hosts either. Moreover, there was little energy left in the hosts' camp after 71-run and 87-run stands respectively for the 2nd and 4th wickets by the Kiwi batters.
This victory marked New Zealand's third consecutive win in the series, having previously defeated both Pakistan and South Africa in the round-robin games. The Black Caps' dominance was evident as they didn't drop a single match, maintaining an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.
This series win by a stamping margin has not only boosted New Zealand's confidence but also provided invaluable experience playing on subcontinental conditions, crucial for their preparations for the Champions Trophy. New Zealand's Will O'Rourke bagged the Player of the Match in this Final game for his 4/43 figures with the ball while Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha bagged the Player of the Series award for his 219 runs in the tri-series.
Brief Scores: New Zealand - 243/5 in 45.2 overs (Daryl Mitchell - 57, Naseem Shah - 2/43) defeated Pakistan - 242 all out in 49.3 overs (Mohammad Rizwa - 46, Will O'Rourke - 4/43) by a margin of 5 wickets with 28 balls to spare
