New Zealand vs Pakistan
Glenn Phillips delivered a stellar performance, registering his maiden ODI century to propel New Zealand to a commanding victory over tri-series hosts Pakistan in Lahore. Showcasing exceptional finishing prowess, Phillips accelerated from 26 off 38 deliveries to a century in just 72 balls, steering the visitors to an imposing total of 330/6 in their allotted 50 overs. In addition to his batting heroics, Phillips also dismissed the dangerous Fakhar Zaman, dealing Pakistan a decisive blow as they crumbled to 252 in response.
The foundation for New Zealand’s formidable total was laid by half-centurions Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson, who took charge in the eighth over after the early dismissals of the openers. Shaheen Afridi struck in the very first over, inducing an edge from Will Young. Shortly after, Abrar Ahmed showcased sharp reflexes to complete a low catch off his own bowling, dismissing Rachin Ravindra, who had made a quick-fire 25 off 19 balls, including five boundaries.
Williamson, not at his fluent best, survived a few close calls, including an overturned caught-behind decision via DRS. Mitchell, too, had an early scare with a run-out opportunity. However, together they stabilized the innings with a crucial 95-run stand for the third wicket. At the 15-over mark, New Zealand was 60/2 at the drinks break. Mitchell brought up the team’s 100-run mark in the 21st over with a lofted six off Naseem Shah.
Williamson reached his half-century with a boundary off Afridi, but the left-arm pacer had his revenge soon after, drawing an edge to the wicketkeeper. Tom Latham, after successfully overturning an LBW decision on his second ball, was dismissed by Haris Rauf in the very next over, caught at midwicket. However, Rauf soon left the field with an injury concern, weakening Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Mitchell’s half-century came off 61 deliveries, and he further accelerated, smashing a six off Khushdil Shah to bring up a 50-run stand with Phillips. Another six off Abrar took New Zealand past 200, but Mitchell departed immediately after, flicking a delivery straight to Khushdil at midwicket. His counterattacking 84-ball 81 had set the stage for Phillips to take charge.
At 208/5 after 41 overs, New Zealand appeared to be heading toward a moderate total. However, Phillips, who was on 26 off 29 balls, had other plans. Michael Bracewell provided initial momentum with a four and a six off Khushdil in the 42nd over before Phillips took full control. Salman Agha was taken for a six each by both batters, while Bracewell smashed another maximum over long-off against Afridi. The left-arm pacer struck back immediately, dismissing Bracewell for 31.
Phillips reached his half-century off 55 balls before launching a brutal assault on Afridi and Naseem. In the final three overs alone, he struck five sixes—four of them off Afridi—powering New Zealand to a daunting total. Pakistan conceded 122 runs in the last nine overs, with Phillips alone contributing 80 of those, finishing unbeaten on 106.
Pakistan started their chase positively, courtesy of Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive strokeplay. William O’Rourke proved expensive, conceding multiple sixes and boundaries as Zaman dominated the 52-run opening stand with Babar Azam. However, New Zealand introduced spin early, with Bracewell striking on the last ball of the powerplay to dismiss Babar.
Zaman, having reached a brisk half-century off 48 balls, continued his attacking approach, but his 51-run stand with Kamran Ghulam (18 off 32) was broken by Mitchell Santner. Struggling for fluency, Ghulam attempted an expansive shot but holed out in the deep at the end of the 19th over, giving Santner his first wicket.
Santner struck again two overs later, trapping Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan LBW for just 3. Rizwan’s unsuccessful DRS appeal further dented Pakistan’s hopes. In the following over, Zaman was trapped plumb in front by Phillips, burning another review in the process. With three wickets lost for just 16 runs, Pakistan’s middle and lower order faced an uphill task of chasing 211 in the remaining 26 overs.
A 50-run stand between Salman Agha (40 off 51) and Tayyab Tahir (30 off 29) provided some resistance as they attempted to rebuild on a surface aiding spinners. However, Santner’s disciplined spell tightened New Zealand’s grip, leaving Pakistan needing 179 runs at an asking rate of 9.35 in the final 17 overs. Immediately after the drinks break, Tahir miscued a pull shot straight to short midwicket, where Bracewell completed a sharp catch off Matt Henry’s bowling.
Henry further dented Pakistan’s hopes, dismissing tail-enders Afridi and Naseem to finish with figures of 3 for 53. Santner and Bracewell also struck in successive deliveries to remove the well-set Khushdil and Salman, just as Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark. Despite a few late boundaries from Abrar Ahmed, the hosts ran out of options, especially with Rauf unable to bat due to injury.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 330/6 in 50 overs (Glenn Phillips 106*, Daryl Mitchell 81, Kane Williamson 58; Shaheen Afridi 3-88, Abrar Ahmed 2-41)
Pakistan 252 all out in 47.5 overs (Fakhar Zaman 84; Mitchell Santner 3-41, Matt Henry 3-53, Michael Bracewell 2-41)
Result: New Zealand won by 78 runs.