As anticipated by the knowledgeable circles, New Zealand extended their brilliant run in the tri-series final to overpower hosts Pakistan by five wickets at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 14.
Lively speedster, Will O’Rourke, snared four wickets while Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham hit compact half-centuries to lead their side to a comfortable victory with nearly five overs to spare.
It was a big boost for the Black Caps ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy as they maintained their domination over Muhammad Rizwan-led Pakistan side. Both these outfits are scheduled to clash in the inaugural match of the big event at the same venue on February 19.
The modest target of 243 in 50 overs on a placid batting surface, under floodlights, could not test the nerves or skills of the New Zealanders as they overhauled it in 45.2 overs.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Latham announced his return to form with a polished 56 off 64 balls with five boundaries while Mitchell, in devasting form, made a typically fluent 57 off 58 balls with six fours. They added 87 runs in 88 balls for the fourth wicket to reduce it to a one-sided encounter in the end.
Chasing 243 for victory, New Zealand lost opener Will Young cheaply in the second over, undone by Naseem Shah. But Devon Conway repaired the early damage by sharing 71 runs for the second wicket with the ever-reliable Kane Williamson, who was bowled by Agha Salman, playing down the wrong line, after scoring 34 off 49 balls spiced with three fours and one six.
Pakistan’s attacking fast bowler Naseem, who returned to dismiss the well-set Conway, claimed two wickets for 43 runs in eight overs. Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket apiece for 45 and 67 runs respectively.
Earlier like their previous match, Pakistan slumped to 54 for three in the 12th overs after batting first. Opener Fakhar Zaman started with a couple of lovely boundaries, much to the delight of the crowd.
O’Rourke jolted Pakistan by removing the dangerous Fakhar Zaman, who was trying to maintain his attacking mindset. The explosive left-handed opener ballooned a catch at square leg to Young, who made no mistake. He made 10 off 15 balls.
Babar Azam was shaping well as he added 30 runs for the second wicket with Saud Shakeel, who was guilty of playing a bad shot to be bowled by off-spinner Michael Bracewell who he tried to cut against the turn. He made just eight after facing 14 balls and with a solitary four.
Much depended on the vastly experienced Babar to take Pakistan to a respectable total but he followed soon afterwards. After hitting a classy boundary through the covers off Nathan Smith, he offered a return catch to the bowler on the next delivery to the astonishment of the batter.
However, like the previous game against South Africa, skipper Rizwan and Salman got together to stitch a big partnership. It was a grim battle as the visiting bowlers stifled them by maintaining tight lengths for a long period of time.
The Black Caps captain, Mitchell Santner, led by example as he delivered a very economical and effective spell, picking up of two wickets for only 20 runs in his quota of 10 overs. At one stage, Pakistan could manage just 70 runs in 18 overs despite having the duo of Rizwan and Salman in the middle.
Rizwan and Salman, who had shared record partnership of 260 in their previous outing only a couple of days ago, added 88 runs for the fourth wickets in 120 balls to revive Pakistan’s hopes.
Rizwan, who hit a spectacular undefeated 122 against South Africa, was bowled for by O’Rourke when four runs short of fifty-run mark. He made 46 off 65 balls with just one four and a six.
When Salman was caught at square leg by Young off Bracewell, Pakistan’s innings fell apart. Salman made 45 off 65 balls with a lone six and a four. New Zealand tightened grip by reducing the hosts to 161 for six after 38 overs.
Tayyab Tahir cracked 38 in 33 balls with four boundaries while Faheem Ashraf (22 off 21 balls) and Naseem Shah (19 off 17 balls) helped reach a total of 242 before being bowled out in the final over.
O’Rourke, who spearheaded the New Zealand attack in the absence of Matt Henry, bowled superbly to return the deserve the figures of four for 43 runs off 9.3 overs which earned him Player of the Match award.
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