KARACHI: It was a fitting performance, one that served as undeniable proof for the cricketing world to consider New Zealand as serious title contenders for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The Kiwis were the deserving champions of the tri-series after they overpowered Pakistan by five wickets in what eventually turned out to be a one-sided finale here at the National Stadium on Friday night. Pacer Will O’ Rourke was adjudged player of the match for his four wickets for 43 runs in 9.3 overs. After a spectacular display from the bowlers, the Black Caps got over the line courtesy of a crucial 87-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Tom Latham (56) and Daryl Mitchell (57) on a slow surface where runs were hard to come by.
Pakistan did manage to show fight after dismantling the well-set duo of Kane Williamson (34) and Devon Conway (48) within the space of 32 runs, with Salman and Naseem Shah picking up the wickets. In that middle phase, Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, and Naseem Shah applied good pressure.
However, it was at that point when Latham and Mitchell held their ground and kept the Black Caps’ ship afloat, as a wicket or two could have changed the course of the match.
But who knows? Had Pakistan seized the opportunities in the 31st, 32nd, and 35th overs to break the Latham-Mitchell stand, things could have been different.
It seemed as if lady luck was clearly on Latham’s side. On the first occasion, Mohammad Rizwan chose not to review, despite replays showing the ball would have hit middle stumps.
On two other occasions, Shaheen Afridi and Saud Shakeel’s inability to hold onto straightforward catches further compounded the team’s mistakes.
Brimming with both flair and brute force, the Black Caps ended the series unbeaten, delivering commanding performances in all three matches.
It is pertinent to mention that New Zealand also had a worrying start to their run-chase as Naseem Shah trapped Will Young lbw in the second over with just five runs on the board. However, Williamson and Conway then forged a 71-run partnership for the second wicket, easing things for the visitors. The fourth-wicket stand between Latham and Mitchell eventually helped Kiwis get over the line in 45.2 overs.
For Pakistan, Shaheen picked up one wicket, while Naseem picked up two, being the standout bowler, while Abrar and Salman took one wicket each.
Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, failed to post a massive total against a Kiwi side brimming with batters of both flair and brute force, getting bowled out for 242 in 49.3 overs. Once again, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha were the standout batters for the home team, scoring 46 and 45, respectively.
From the outset, the Men in Green had a shaky start to their innings, as openers Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam failed to provide a solid foundation.
Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for 10 runs, with the scoreboard reading 16, after he chipped the ball straight to Will Young off Will O’Rourke’s delivery.
Babar Azam, who became the joint-fastest batter to reach 6000 ODI runs, once again looked in sublime touch, smashing four fours and a six during his 29-run knock. Unfortunately, the star batter failed to capitalise on a good start, spooning a straight catch to medium pacer Nathan Smith.
Saud Shakeel also did not impress at a crucial stage, getting clean bowled by Michael Bracewell for eight after failing to cut the off-spinner’s delivery.
However, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha once again tried to consolidate the hosts’ innings after they were reduced to 54 for three.
Both batters managed to stop the flow of falling wickets, rotating the strike consistently and finding a boundary off anything loose. However, the turning point came in the 32nd over when the partnership between Rizwan and Salman reached 88 runs.
After soaking the pressure for 20 overs, Rizwan, who was on 46 off 76 balls with four fours and a six, was dismissed by Will O’Rourke. The home team skipper was undone by a cross-seam delivery as the jagging ball crashed into his leg stump through a deflection.
At 161, Salman Ali Agha, who looked well-set on 45 off 65 balls with a four and a six, was sent back to the pavilion by Michael Bracewell. Salman attempted a reverse sweep but ended up top-edging a catch to Duffy.
Following the departures of Rizwan and Salman, Pakistan’s innings lost momentum as the Kiwi spinners, Mitchell Santner and Bracewell, applied pressure, leaving the home team on its knees.
Although Tayyab Tahir played a fighting knock, scoring 38 in quick time with four fours and a six, he was dismissed by Jacob Duffy with Pakistan’s score at 195. Tayyab, looking to smash the ball over the stand, ended up giving a catch straight into Williamson’s hands at midwicket.
Five runs later, Khushdil Shah, who once again failed to prove his selection, was dismissed for just seven at a time when he could have proved his critics wrong.
Faheem Ashraf, who made a comeback into the team, managed 22, while Naseem Shah scored 19, helping Pakistan reach 242. For New Zealand, the pressure created by the spinners benefited the pacers, with Will O’Rourke taking four wickets for 43 runs in 9.3 overs.
The Black Caps skipper and left-arm spinner Santner claimed two scalps for just 20 runs in 10 overs, while Bracewell also took two. Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith took one wicket each.