King Kohli’s unbeaten century puts hosts Pakistan at brink in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Star batter Virat Kohli shattered Pakistan's dreams and his spectacular unconquered century powered India to a comfortable six-wicket victory over the holders and hosts in the crucial league encounter of the 9th edition of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. 

The mercurial Kohli finished the match with his seventh boundary which brought up his 100 off 111 balls. It was his 51st ODI century as it enabled India to win the match comfortably in the end with as many as 6.3 overs to spare. Pakistan were earlier bowled out for a modest 241 with three balls of 50 overs remaining. 

King Kohli, appearing in total command of the situation, added 104 for third wicket with Shreyas Iyer after India lost openers Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill (46). 

It was a historic match Kohli who reached the milestone of 14,000 ODI runs in the least number of innings when he drove fiery fast bowler Haris Rauf through the covers for four. Earlier, he completed 158 ODI catches, the most by an Indian. The Sri Lankan batter Mahela Jayawardene holds the world record with 218 catches. 

Skipper Sharma perished after making quick 20 as he was castled by Shaheen Shah Afridi with a swinging delivery after hitting a massive six and three fours. The in-form Gill was very aggressive against Shaheen, whom he hammered for 33 runs off 25 balls. 

Pakistan made an encouraging start after electing to bat first. Imam-ul-Haq. who came into team for the injured Fakhar Zaman, and Babar Azam gave the greenshirts 41-run opening stand. 

Both of them were cautious in the beginning but Babar opened up and played some lovely strokes. He struck pacer Hardik Pandya for a lovely cover drive. Trying to repeat it on the next ball, he edged it to keeper KL Rahul, much to the disappointment of Pakistan supporters. He slammed five boundaries in his 23 off 26 balls. 

Before Pakistan could recover from the Babar setback, his opening partner Imam needlessly ran himself out as a direct throw by Axar Patel from mid-on found him short of the crease. Pakistan slumped to 47 for two in with four balls of power play left. 

Captain Muhammad Rizwan joined Saud Shakeel and they steadied the innings. They added 50 runs for third wicket in 91 balls but the boundary draught didn't help the Pakistan cause. At one stage, Rizwan and Saud were unable to hit a boundary for 31 balls. 

Saud broke the shackles but they struggled to find the boundary for another 38 balls. After remaining in a defensive mould, left-handed Saud hammered back-to-back fours off Patel. 

Rizwan and Saud added 104 runs for the third wicket in 23.2 overs to raise hopes of posting a competitive total. But Rizwan, when looking in his groove, was bowled by Patel with lovely delivery which crashed into the stumps in 34th over. Rizwan cracked three fours in his cautious 46 off 77 balls. 

Pakistan lost three quick wickets as Rizwan, Saud and Tayyab Tahir perished inside 20 balls to leave them precariously placed at 165 for five at the start of 36th over. 

Saud, looking on course of a real big knock, was accounted by Pandya, who bowled superbly, for 63 off 76 balls and his innings was laced with five fours. 

Tayyab had no clue to a delivery from veteran left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah shared 35 runs for the sixth wicket before Jadeja took a well-judged catch of Salman off Kuldeep Yadav to end his 24-ball effort. He made 19 without hitting a boundary. 

Later, it was Khushdil Shah, another left-hander, who made 38 off 39 balls which allowed Pakistan to reach 241 before being bowled out after they had crashed to 205 for seven. 

Overall, Pakistan played 147 dot balls against India after having remained scoreless for 161 balls in the previous game against New Zealand in Karachi. 

The inability to rotate strike, particularly in the middle overs, cost them both the matches and put them at the brink of elimination from the tournament.

The Indian bowling, as expected, hardly gave away any easy runs except for the opening over when spearhead Mohammad Shami sprayed the ball in different directions and he was guilty of sending down five wides.

Even Shami regained control in his following overs and was hard to get away. Pandya supported the new-ball operators by claiming two crucial wickets while the spin trio of Patel, Jadeja and Yadav sustained the pressure with their tight spells. 

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Pakistan clash with India in do-or-die Champions Trophy duel at Dubai

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan clash with arch adversary, India, in a do-or-die Champions Trophy’s biggest tie at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. This is a huge match for Pakistan to salvage their pride and for millions of their supporters looking at them after their dismal opening match against New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi. 

However, for achieving their goals and objectives, Muhammad Rizwan’s green shirts outfit must come up with an outstanding performance in all three areas of the game-batting, bowling and fielding. Pakistan’s recent record against India in both 50 overs Asia Cup and World Cup is bleak. 

Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performance in the tri-series at home was also far from encouraging. In Champions Trophy, however, Pakistan have enjoyed slight edge over India with 3-2 record. There was a hope of revival when Pakistan whipped South Africa in the tri-series league match. 

The Proteas entered the game without a few of their star performers but the manner in which Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha notched-up amazing centuries and shared a record 260-run fourth wicket stand to engineer a comfortable victory in the do-or-die fixture gladdened many hearts. 

Can they replicate their heroics against India, who possess a formidable batting line-up and equally potent bowling attack? The Indo-Pak encounters have had a history of creating additional pressures for both sides. Will it yet another nervy games and India choke against all odds? The cricket fans will get the answers on what is expected to be a thrilling Sunday for them. 

While Pakistan lost heavily to New Zealand in the opening game, the Indians, in sharp contrast, made a grand start by hammering Bangladesh with fast bowler Muhammad Shami snapping up five wickets and opener Shubman Gill cracking a brilliant unbeaten century. 

It was impressive display by India despite their missing their most sought-after bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Shami filled his place admirably well after returning from injury which kept him out of business for over a year. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may not be at their most fluent at the moment but both of them have the credentials to play match-winning knocks.

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Gill are in great form and raring to go. Down the order, they have all-rounders who can be very explosive with the bat. The spin quintet of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and new sensation Varun Chakaravarty can pose threat to Pakistan’s inconsistent batting line-up. They may field three of these five spinners in the playing eleven. 

The Indians, having almost all bases covered, definitely have an edge over the hosts after having whitewashed England in the recent ODI series at home. After losing rising opener Saim Ayub a few weeks ago, Pakistan got another big blow in the opening match when attacking opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the event due to reoccurrence of injury. Imam-ul-Haq has been drafted in his place. Fakhar could have been good psychological impact on the India team which is gone now. 

The Pakistan batters facing criticism of experts and public after slow batting against New Zealand. Rizwan and Salman will have to accept the challenge against the Indian bowlers. 

How Babar Azam bats, slow or fast, could determine the fate of the match. If he anchors Pakistan innings deep it can benefit team in building a good total if the hitters do their job around him. The Indians must be aware of the threats they face in the shape of Babar, Salman and Rizwan. 

Pakistan’s fiery bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have the opportunity to make amends of their indifferent performance in the recent matches. If they can cause dents with early Indian wickets, the match can go either way. 

The one area where Pakistan is disadvantaged clearly is spin bowling. With Abrar Ahmed being the only specialist spinner in the squad, they could struggle in maintaining control through part-timers.

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Reckelton hits chanceless ton as star-studded South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Opener Ryan Reckelton smashed a chanceless century as South Africa launched their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in style when they handed out 107-run drubbing to Afghanistan at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 21. 

Chasing a challenging target of 316 off 50 overs for victory, Afghanistan, despite a defiant knock from Rahmat Shah and enjoying strong cheers from vociferous crowd, were bowled out for 207 in 43.3 overs. 

Rahmat came in to bat at number four spot and stood like a rock. He was the last man to be dismissed, caught behind to Ryan Reckelton for 90 off 92 balls with nine fours and one six. 

Rather surprisingly, none of the other Afghan batters showed intent for long innings and he did not receive the desired support from the other end. 

The experienced fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, returning to the side after skipping the recently concluded tri-series, was the pick of South African bowlers, claiming three wickets for 36 runs. His fellow pacemen, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi, took two wickets apiece. 

The 1998 inaugural trophy winners South Africa mustered a competitive total of 315 for six in 50 overs thanks to a fantastic century from Reckelton and brilliant half centuries from Aiden Markaram, Temba Bavuma and Van der Dussen. 

Afghanistan, making their debut in the event, started badly by losing their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) in the power play which was a big setback for them. 

Gurbaz, known for his attacking shots, paid the price of getting adventurous as he attempted to hoist Ngidi out of the ground but ended up offering a catch at fine leg to Keshav Maharaj, who made no mistake. He made 10 in 14 balls with a solitary boundary. 

Zadran struck Kagsio Rabada for a massive straight six but the fast bowler took revenge soon afterwards by uprooting his stumps. Zadran made 17 off 29 balls with a six and a four. 

Opener Rickelton registered fifth century of the ongoing Champions Trophy while Markarm, Bavuma, and Dussen blasted half centuries which propelled South Africa to an impressive total of 315 after having opted to bat first in overcast conditions. 

They lost opener Tony de Zorzi (11) in sixth over with 28 runs on the board. But Rickelton, in the company of captain Bavuma, put Proteas on road to a grand recovery with 129-run second wicket partnership off 142 balls. 

Rickelton, who posted his career best score of 259 during the home Test series against Pakistan just a couple of months ago, played with solid defence coupled with controlled aggression to defy Afghanistan’s powerful pace cum spin attack. 

His entertaining half century came off balls with five fours and a six. However, in an effort to build South African innings, he continued to bat with patience. Bavuma, who survived a previous ball lbw review, ballooned top edge to Sadequllah at mid-wicket trying to hit Muhammad Nabi out of the ground. 

Veteran Afghan spinner Nabi bowled tightly to finish with two wickets for 51 runs in ten overs. Noor Ahmed proved expensive with figures of 1-59 in nine overs while medium pacer Azmatullah Omarzai returned the figures of 1-59 in eight overs. Their premier spinner Rashid Khan went wicketless, going for 59 runs in his ten overs. 

The Afghan spinners, with the sole exception of Nabi, were unable to stem the flow of runs besides after being unsuccessful in bringing about any mini-collapse during the course of the South African innings which hardly ever lost momentum, enabling them to get to a total in the excess of 300 without taking too many risks. 

The change of fortunes must have come a sigh of relief for the enigmatic South Africans as they finally managed to win an ODI after consecutive losses in the recent past. 

Only time will tell if they are able to extend their winning form in the tournament as they proceed to take on England and Australia in remaining league fixtures.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to lift their game considerably in future games in order to make an impact in the event. They have entered the competition with high hopes but their spinners will have to come good and batters will need to play to their potential if they are to repeat their heroics of earlier ICC tournaments.

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Imam-ul-Haq approved as replacement for Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan squad

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Event Technical Committee of the 9th ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad. The 29-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar got ruled out due to an oblique injury. 

The left-handed Fakhar, after having exhibited attacking instincts in the tri-series, which preceded the Champions Trophy, was seriously injured when he chased down a drive in the very first over of the opening game against New Zealand on February 19. 

He saved the boundary but the injury forced him to leave the field. He came into bat down the order, at number four, because of having spent time in the dressing room which prevented him from taking up the usual position of an opener. 

He could be felt in obvious discomfort while executing aggressive shots and his future in the tournament seemed in jeopardy while watching him bat. Fakhar has now been replaced officially and his position has been taken by Imam, also a left-handed opening batsman. 

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager-Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager-Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director-International Cricket Operations) and Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).

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Young, Latham blast centuries as New Zealand whip Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy curtain-raiser

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The duo of opener Will Young and wicketkeeper Tom Latham blasted superb centuries as New Zealand whipped defending champions Pakistan by 60 runs in the curtain-raiser match of the 9th ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament at National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19. 

Chasing 321 for victory, Pakistan was bowled out 260 in 47.2 overs much to dismay and disappointment of a crowd, estimated to be in the excess of 25,000, and millions of their supporters around the globe. 

Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69 off 49 balls with ten sizzling boundaries and a six. Babar Azam made steady 64 off 90 balls with the aid of half dozen boundaries and a six. Fast bowler Will O’Rourke and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner captured three wickets each to devastate the Pakistan batting. 

Opener Young returned to top form with a spectacular 107 while left-handed Latham slammed unbeaten 118 to lead Kiwis to a commanding total at the new-look National Stadium. 

This was Muhammad Rizwan-led Pakistan’s third successive defeat against New Zealand over the last few days, after suffering a couple of defeats in the tri-series league round and final. 

The visitors were in a spot of bother at 73 for three in the 17th over after losing top batters Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10) cheaply. But Young and Latham retrieved the situation by adding 118 runs for the third wicket. 

Latham, having returned to form after being dismissed for consecutive ducks in the tri-series league matches, clubbed ten boundaries and three sixes in his 104-ball knock. With Glenn Philips, he plundered 125 runs off mere 74 balls. Philips, extending his brilliant run, smashed a brutal 61 off 39 balls with three fours and four sixes. 

First, Young and Latham and later Latham and Philips went on a rampage against the pace duo of Shaheeen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf as Blackcaps scored 113 runs in last 10 overs and 64 in last five with Pakistan’s death bowling worries continuing unabated. 

Haris, who conceded 44 runs in his first two spells, was punished badly by Latham and Philips, who hammered him for 39 runs hoisting three sixes. 

The 32-year-old Young, who could muster only 28 runs in three innings of tri-series, defied the home bowlers with superb batting display. He reached his fifty in 56 balls with five boundaries and a six off Haris. 

Having accelerated the rate of scoring with Latham with lovely stroke-play, he reached the coveted three-figure mark by pushing Abrar Ahmed for a single. 

After earning the distinction of scoring the first century of the tournament, Young eventually departed when trying to lift Naseem Shah out of the ground as he was caught by substitute fielder Faheem Ashraf at fine-leg. He made 107 off 113 which included a dozen boundaries and six. This was his fourth hundred in ODIs. 

Young and Devon Conway gave Kiwis a promising start of 39 runs to neutralize the early assault of Shaheen and Haris with new ball. However, two wickets in five balls tilted the game towards Pakistan. 

Leg-spinner Abrar struck in his second over by cleaning Conway with a carrom ball to the delight of vociferous crowd. It was a big breakthrough for the hosts. The New Zealanders landed in deeper trouble when speedster Naseem Shah removed classy batter Williamson, who edged a beautiful outswinger to keeper Rizwan. 

Quite remarkably, it was for the first time since 2019 when the master batsman was removed before reaching double figures in ODIs. 

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss yet again and opted to bowl first in conditions which were nearly ideal for batting but the decision was prompted by the anticipated dew factor in the evening. Fast bowler Haris Rauf returned to the team after regaining fitness. He replaced Faheem Ashraf. Rachin Ravindra, however, was still not fit for New Zealand.

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President Asif Zardari graces opening ceremony of Champions Trophy at National Stadium; PAF aerial display stuns spectators

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, was the chief guest in the opening ceremony of the 9th ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19. The First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied the President. 

Upon arrival at the National Stadium, the dignitaries were received by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the Federal Minister for Interior. 

The President and the First Lady, accompanied by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, carried the Champions Trophy onto the field. President Asif Zardari met with the captains of the Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams. Later, the President and the First Lady also watched the match between the two teams. 

The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy also witnessed a stunning aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), offering a tribute to the nation. 

The performance, led by the Sherdil team, spread the colours of the green and white flag across the skies, a magnificent representation of national pride. 

The Sherdil team, renowned for its professional expertise, demonstrated exceptional skills with their daring stunts, including the iconic Shaheen break manoeuvre. 

The breath-taking show, featuring JF-17s, F-16s, and the Sherdil Shaheens, set hearts racing and mesmerized the audience. 

The JF-17 Thunder aircraft also participated in the fly-past, which amplified the spectacle. This aircraft has been known for having proved its formidable capabilities in numerous international exercises.

The involvement of JF-17s in various air forces around the world is a testament to their operational excellence and combat readiness. The entire aerial display was a resounding demonstration of the Pakistan Air Force’s professionalism and the unwavering spirit of the nation.

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Massive challenges for Pakistan as they face injury-hit New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy opener

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Massive challenges await the defending champions, Pakistan, as they launch their campaign in 9th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy with a fixture against New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19. Pakistan have already suffered back-to-back defeats against New Zealand in the recently concluded tri-series, with South Africa being the third participant. 

After suffering a defeat in the opening match at Lahore, they were later also outplayed in the final by the same opponents at the upgraded National Stadium, Karachi, where the opening match of the Champions Trophy is being staged. 

Despite having suffered injuries to their spearhead, Lockie Ferguson, and another promising speedster, Ben Sears, the Black Caps, captained by Mitchell Santner, have gained vital experience and acclimatize well to the conditions in Pakistan as they extended their purple patch by also winning the warm-up match against Afghanistan even when resting a couple of big guns, including star batter, Kane Williamson. 

Pakistan’s only heart-warming win came against South Africa whom they outgunned by five wickets with skipper Muhammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha notching up wonderful centuries. 

They shared a record 260-run second wicket stand after they the hosts had been reduced to 93 for three. It was a fabulous win for green shirts as South Africa had rested their premier fast bowler, Kagsio Rabada. 

The big boost for the home side is the form of Salman Agha. He has improved in leaps and bounds as a batting all-rounder during the last few months. He will be needed to fire on all cylinders if Pakistan have to defend the title successfully. 

Pakistan’s major worries revolve around bowling death overs where pacemen Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have been leaking far too many runs. Haris Rauf seems all set to return to the team after side strain in the opening match of tri-series. 

The performances of the home side have been roller-coaster at times in the recent past but they continue to be unpredictable and inconsistent during crunch situations. The Pakistan team has faced criticism for selecting with only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, in the 15-member squad. The recalling of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah after gap of a few years has also been questioned. 

Pakistan top-batter Babar Azam’s form has also been a cause of major concern to the Pakistan team. He been slotted to open the innings with left-handed Fakhar Zaman after in-form opener, Saim Ayub, suffered serious leg-injury during the South African tour. Babar could muster only 62 runs in three innings in tri-series. 

On the other hand, the Black Caps, have been in possession of a formidable pace-cum-spin attack despite losing their two exceptionally talented fast bowlers, Ferguson and Sears. Will O’Rourke did rise to occasion by taking four wickets in the final to clinch Player of the Match award. 

They are very well served in the spin bowling department with Santner leading by example. Micheal Bracewell has bowled brilliantly while Glenn Philips has also done the job reasonably well to stifle the opponents. 

Pakistan had performed disappointingly in the last couple of T20 World Cups as well as the 50-over World Cup in India where they failed to qualify for semifinals.

Being the hosts, the stakes and expectations are on the higher side high as they need to win at least two of their three league matches to stay afloat in the competition. 

It seems long time ago, but Pakistan had emerged triumphant in the last edition of the Champions Trophy, held. in 2017. Led by wicketkeeper-batter, Sarfaraz Ahmed, they thrilled the nation by thrashing arch-rivals India in the final at The Oval in London. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan have been entrusted with the responsibility of staging a major event after a lapse of 29 years. This is going to be their first ICC event in the country after they had jointly hosted the Wills World Cup with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.

The cricket fans in Pakistan in particular are looking forward to the 9th Champions Trophy whose final is scheduled to be played on March 9. Plenty of action and drama are expected over the next few days as all the leading teams, with the sole exception of India, who chose to play their matches in Dubai, will be setting Pakistan's grounds to fire with their blazing performance. 

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Clinical New Zealand prevail over hosts in tri-series final; continue march towards more glories

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

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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