New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the first match of the ODI tri-series on Saturday (Feb 08), at the new-look Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted a formidable total of 330/6 in their 50 overs, largely thanks to a maiden ODI century from Glenn Phillips, who scored unbeaten 106* runs off 72 balls, including 6 fours and 7 sixes.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Daryl Mitchell also contributed significantly with 81 runs along with former captain Kane Williamson (58 off 89 balls). In response, Pakistan struggled, finishing well short with New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner, taking three wickets each, affecting a 78-run defeat to the hosts.
For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a brisk 84 off 69 deliveries, including 7 fours and 4 sixes in his innings. However, once Fakhar was dismissed, the middle order couldn't keep up the momentum, with Salman Ali Agha contributing a cautious 40 off 51 balls. However, Pakistan's batting unit fell short in the end.
Brief Scores: New Zealand - 330/6 in 50 overs (Glenn Phillips - 106*, Shaheen Shah Afridi - 3/88) defeated Pakistan - 252 all out in 47.5 overs (Fakhar Zaman - 84, Mitchell Santner - 3/41) by a margin of 78 runs with 13 balls to spare
This match served as a significant opening to the tri-series, which includes South Africa as the third team, providing all teams with crucial match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy. New Zealand will face South Africa in the second match of this ODI tri-series on February 10, 2025, at the same venue, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This match is scheduled to start at 09:30 AM local time.
After a strong performance against Pakistan, New Zealand will look to maintain their winning momentum, while South Africa, is eager to make a statement in the series, with a win in their first match of the series. This encounter promises to be a vital contest for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and assess their strengths ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
