New Zealand capped off an impressive prelude to the Champions Trophy by defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the final of a tri-nation series held in Karachi on February 14, 2025. This victory comes just days before the two teams are set to clash again in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.
Batting first, Pakistan struggled to set a competitive target, being bowled out for 242 runs. In response, New Zealand chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 243 for the loss of five wickets in the 46th over. Fast bowler Will O’Rourke was a standout performer for New Zealand, taking four wickets for 43 runs, while captain Mitchell Santner delivered an economical spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 20.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham were crucial to New Zealand’s success, both scoring half-centuries, with Mitchell contributing 57 runs and Latham adding 56. Their partnership of 87 runs off 88 balls proved pivotal in guiding New Zealand towards a comfortable victory. Notably, New Zealand’s win was clinched by a wide delivery from Pakistan, marking a frustrating end to their innings.
Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered, with no player managing to score a half-century. Babar Azam, who recently achieved the milestone of becoming the joint fastest player to reach 6,000 ODI runs, was dismissed for 29 runs and expressed disappointment at the team’s overall performance. The only significant contributions came from captain Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 46, and Salman Ali Agha with 45 runs.
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans effectively on a pitch that proved slower than expected. O’Rourke’s early breakthroughs, including the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel, set the tone for Pakistan’s innings. The Black Caps maintained pressure throughout, with Santner’s tight bowling in the middle overs stifling any chance of a recovery.
Looking ahead to the Champions Trophy, Santner emphasized the importance of maintaining form but acknowledged that the real challenge lies ahead. "Different guys stepping up at different times is good, but it means nothing till we play that first game at the Champions Trophy," he stated.
As both teams prepare to face off again in the prestigious tournament, this match serves as a critical confidence booster for New Zealand, while Pakistan will need to regroup and address their batting shortcomings to avoid a repeat performance.