New Zealand won the Tri-Nation ODI Series at the National Stadium here on Friday, defeating hosts Pakistan by five wickets in the final thanks to half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham and an all-around bowling display. On a day when they lost bowler Ben Sears to injury, this is a huge boost for New Zealand ahead of the Champions Trophy. With this victory, New Zealand became undefeated in the tri-series.
Latham eventually delivered when it counted, scoring a 64-ball 56 after Mitchell hit a 58-ball 57. Devon Conway (48) and Kane Williams (34) made crucial contributions as they reached 245/5 in 45.2 overs, winning the match with 28 balls remaining.
They were chasing a modest target of 243 after the Black Caps rode on superb bowling by left-arm pacer Will O’Rourke (4-43) and a brace each by spinners Michael Bracewell (2-38) and skipper Mitchell Santner (2-20) to bundle out Pakistan for 242 in the final over of their innings.
Pakistan, who elected to bat first, lost Fakar Zaman (10) early with 16 runs on the board and Babar Azam joined him in the pavilion soon after making 29 during which he became the joint-fastest batter to reach 6,000 runs milestone. Nathan Smith caught him off his bowling and Pakistan slumped to 54/3.
Despite raising 88 runs for the fourth wicket, captain Mohammad Rizwan (46), and Salman Agha (45), were unable to form a strong partnership like they did against South Africa a few days ago. Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and finished with a total below par after both of them were out with 161/5.
Pakistan got off to a quick start as they took the pitch for the second innings, dismissing Will Young with just five runs scored. When the former NZ captain was bowled out for 34 by Agha Salman, Conway and Williamson increased the total to 76.
The Black Caps reached 100 runs when Conway and Mitchell added 32 more runs to the total. Mitchell reached his half-century off 56 balls, but Conway missed it by two runs. A few balls later, he was out for 57 runs, including six boundaries in his knock.
88 runs were added for the fourth wicket by Mitchell and Latham. Latham needed 60 balls to get his half-century. Eventually, he smashed five boundaries and was out for 56 off 64 balls. With a score of 232/5, he was out and New Zealand was firmly on their way to winning. They were victorious thanks to Glenn Phillips (20 not out).
Brief scores:
New Zealand 243/5 in 45.2 overs (Devon Conway 48, Daryl Mitchell 57, Tom Latham 56; Naseem Shah 2-43) defeated Pakistan 242 all out in 49.3 overs (Mohd Rizwan 46, Salman Agha 45, Tyyab Tahir 38, Will O'Rourke 4-43; Michael Bracewell 2-38, Mitchell Santner 2-20) by five wickets.
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