Pace bowler Will O’Rourke delivered an outstanding performance, claiming four wickets while Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham contributed half-centuries, leading New Zealand to a decisive five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the tri-nations series final held on Friday. This win not only highlights New Zealand's prowess but also sets a positive tone for their upcoming Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan on Wednesday at the same venue.
O’Rourke's exceptional bowling figures of 4-43 were instrumental in restricting the Pakistan team to a total of 242 runs in 49.3 overs. Upon chasing 243 runs, New Zealand reached their target with relative ease, finishing at 243-5 in just 45.2 overs at Karachi’s National Stadium.
The New Zealand innings began on a shaky note as they lost opener Will Young in the very first over bowled by pacer Naseem Shah, who sent Young back for a mere five runs. Nevertheless, Devon Conway and Kane Williamson steadied the ship by forming a second-wicket partnership that added 71 runs, before Conway was dismissed for 48 and Williamson for 34.
As the innings progressed, New Zealand faced a moment of uncertainty with the score at 108-3. This scenario called for a stabilizing partnership, and Mitchell stepped up to the challenge, finding a reliable partner in Latham. The duo added 87 runs for the fourth wicket, significantly propelling the chase. After Mitchell was caught and bowled by off-spinner Abrar Ahmed, New Zealand needed just 48 runs, which Latham and Glenn Phillips managed to reduce to ten, successfully steering the team towards victory.
Mitchell's performance was notable as he struck six boundaries in his innings of 57 runs off 58 balls, while Latham’s innings consisted of 56 runs from 64 balls, featuring five fours. On the bowling side, Naseem emerged as Pakistan's standout performer with figures of 2-43 from eight overs, although the overall attack struggled to contain the New Zealand batsmen.
Captain Mitchell Santner conveyed satisfaction with the team’s performance post-match, emphasizing the importance of different players stepping up and contributing. However, he acknowledged that despite the victory, the focus must remain on their upcoming engagement in the Champions Trophy.
In contrast, losing captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed regret over the team's inability to set a target of around 280 runs. He attributed part of the collapse to New Zealand’s bowling performance, noting the critical nature of his wicket in the context of the innings and how it contributed to losing momentum.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly the spinners Santner and Michael Bracewell, backed O’Rourke's efforts effectively to limit Pakistan's score. Rizwan was the top scorer for Pakistan with a laborious 46 runs off 76 balls, while Salman Agha contributed 45 runs from 65 deliveries. The spinners proved to be effective on the pitch, which exhibited slow and variable bounce, posing challenges for the batsmen.
The Pakistan innings started on a difficult note as they lost opener Fakhar Zaman early, dismissed by O’Rourke for just ten runs. Following him, Saud Shakeel also fell cheaply for eight runs, which put Pakistan on the back foot. Babar Azam, while exhibiting promise with a score of 29 runs, contributed to a historic milestone by crossing the 6,000-run mark in One-Day Internationals during his innings. His milestone came in just 123 innings, tying him with South African batting legend Hashim Amla as the joint fastest to this landmark.
Babar’s dismissal, which came from a poorly executed shot off Nathan Smith, further deepened Pakistan’s troubles, leaving them stumbling at 54-3. However, Rizwan and Agha then formed a vital partnership, reviving the innings with an impressive stand of 88 runs. Rizwan showcased his ability with the bat, hitting four boundaries along with a six. However, both Rizwan and Agha fell within close succession, leaving Pakistan scrambling to reach a competitive total.
Tayyab Tahir added some valuable runs, scoring 38 in just 33 deliveries, while Faheem Ashraf and Naseem contributed 22 and 19 runs respectively, pushing Pakistan past the 240 mark, and ultimately setting the target at 242. Although the total was never insurmountable, it highlighted the efficiency of New Zealand's bowlers, who skillfully maintained pressure throughout the innings.
In summary, New Zealand's victory reflects a well-rounded team effort, demonstrating their readiness ahead of their major clash in the Champions Trophy. Each player played a crucial role, underlining the importance of teamwork in achieving success in cricket. As both teams prepare for the upcoming tournament, the focus will certainly shift to translating their recent performances into the high-stakes environment of the Champions Trophy.