New Zealand hammer Pakistan by 5 wickets in Karachi to win Tri-Series, raise trouble for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Hosts

New Zealand crush Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Tri-Series final in Karachi, sending a strong warning to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosts with their dominant performance.

New Delhi: The final of the Tri-Series between New Zealand and Pakistan ended with a thrilling victory for the Kiwis, as they successfully chased down 243 to lift the trophy. Pakistan, after being bowled out for 242, had set New Zealand a modest target, but it proved to be more challenging than expected.

Will Young (57) and Devon Conway (48) providing a solid foundation. The pair had steadied the ship after losing Kane Williamson (34) to Salman Agha. Naseem Shah had previously removed both openers, Will Young and Devon Conway, leaving New Zealand with a manageable target.

Pakistan’s batting performance was far from their best, with the top-order once again faltering. The pressure began early, and despite a few flashes of brilliance in the middle overs from Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, the Pakistani batsmen could not find a way to accelerate. The pitch, which had been slightly two-paced, proved tricky, and the New Zealand bowlers made the most of the conditions. O’Rourke, in particular, was excellent with his cutters, while the spinners kept the pressure on by varying their pace and choking the run flow.

The Pakistan team had their moments, with contributions from Tayyab Tahir and Faheem Ashraf down the order, but they never really gained the momentum required to push the total beyond 242. Their efforts left them with little margin for error as they prepared to defend their total.

New Zealand’s Clinical Chase

Chasing 243 was never going to be a walk in the park, but New Zealand’s top order kept their composure throughout the chase. The start was cautious, with the bowlers maintaining tight lines and ensuring the required run rate didn’t slip too far out of reach. However, New Zealand’s batsmen gradually built a solid foundation, capitalizing on Pakistan’s mistakes.

The middle order came in, and they didn’t let up on the pressure. There were a few nervous moments as the required run rate climbed, but the Kiwis held their nerve and steadily reached the target. Pakistan’s bowlers fought hard, but there was no breakthrough at key moments to stem the tide. A couple of dropped catches towards the end, though, took away the final glimmers of hope for Pakistan, and New Zealand comfortably finished the chase.

Standout Performers

For New Zealand, the bowlers were the heroes early in the match, with O’Rourke leading the way and the spinners providing critical breakthroughs when Pakistan’s batsmen threatened to build partnerships. With the ball in hand, they executed their plans flawlessly, especially on a pitch that demanded adaptability.

On the batting front, New Zealand’s chase was anchored by calm and calculated innings, with contributions coming from various players. The final breakthrough came with a well-placed shot to bring the target down, and the New Zealand players could finally celebrate their triumph.