Lahore, February 8, 2025 – Glenn Phillips’s explosive century and Mitchell Santner’s brilliant 3/41 led New Zealand to a commanding 78-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging target of 331, Pakistan was bowled out for 252 in 47.5 overs, despite a valiant 84 from Fakhar Zaman.
Pakistan began their chase solidly, with Fakhar and Babar Azam adding 52 runs for the opening wicket. Fakhar was the more aggressive of the two, while Babar played cautiously before being dismissed by Michael Bracewell on the last ball of the powerplay. Babar managed just 10 off 23 balls.
Fakhar continued to lead Pakistan’s charge, putting on a 51-run partnership for the second wicket with Kamran Ghulam, who struggled to 18 off 32 balls. Fakhar’s defiance continued until he was dismissed in the 24th over, ending a crucial knock of 84 off 69 balls, which included seven fours and four sixes.
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha then took control, building important partnerships with Tayyab Tahir (30) and Khushdil Shah (15). However, his resistance ended when Bracewell claimed his wicket, with Agha making 40 off 51 balls, including two fours and a six.
Abrar Ahmed fought back with an unbeaten 25 off 15 balls, but his efforts fell short as New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Santner and Matt Henry, wrapped up the innings. Santner and Henry each took three wickets, while Bracewell finished with two.
Earlier, New Zealand set a formidable total of 330/6 in their 50 overs, with contributions from Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Phillips.
The Blackcaps had a rocky start, with Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissing Will Young (4) on the fourth ball of the match. Williamson and Rachin Ravindra added 35 runs for the second wicket before Ravindra was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the eighth over for 25 off 19 balls.
Williamson then joined Mitchell for a 95-run third-wicket partnership, but Williamson fell for 58 off 89 balls, including seven boundaries, to Shaheen.
New Zealand was further reduced to 135/4 when Haris Rauf dismissed Tom Latham for a duck. However, Mitchell stood firm, adding 65 runs with Phillips for the sixth wicket before being dismissed by Abrar in the 38th over. Mitchell made 81 off 84 balls, with two fours and four sixes.
Phillips then accelerated, finishing unbeaten on 106 off 74 balls, including six fours and seven sixes, propelling New Zealand past 300. He also shared a 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Michael Bracewell, who made a quickfire 31 off 23 balls, laced with one four and three sixes.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed took two and Haris Rauf picked up one.
