In an exciting and closely contested final of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Tri-series, the Kiwis emerged victorious, defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets to claim the title. The match, played at the picturesque venue of The National Stadium in Karachi on February 14, 2025, was a thrilling encounter that saw both teams giving their all in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Struggle with the Bat
Pakistan, winning the toss and opting to bat first, was hoping to set a competitive target. However, the team’s top order could not build the kind of partnership needed to propel them to a commanding total. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by the experienced Matt Henry, were able to strike early and often.
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Pakistan’s opener, Fakhar Zaman, who had been in great form during the group stages, was dismissed cheaply for just 15 runs. His dismissal came early in the innings, putting pressure on the middle order. Babar Azam, the captain and one of Pakistan’s star batters, failed to get going as well, falling to Lockie Ferguson for 29 runs. While the Pakistani batters struggled to find any momentum, the Kiwis remained disciplined with the ball.
Mohammad Rizwan, who has been a consistent performer for Pakistan, showed some resistance with a gritty knock of 42 runs. His innings was crucial in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after the early loss of wickets. However, he could not convert his start into a match-winning knock.
In the middle overs, Shadab Khan tried to counter-attack and looked promising for a while with a knock of 33 runs, but his efforts were not enough to propel Pakistan to a competitive total. Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman also tried to stabilize the innings but were dismissed for small scores.
New Zealand’s bowlers were exceptional, with Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson leading the charge. Henry finished with figures of 3/32, while Ferguson picked up 2/43. Michael Bracewell, the left-arm spinner, also had an impactful role, taking a crucial wicket and finishing with 1/35.
New Zealand’s Response: Calm and Clinical
Chasing a modest total of 175, New Zealand began their innings with a sense of calm, knowing that a steady and composed approach would be sufficient to secure the win. The pair managed to put together a strong opening stand, and their partnership gave New Zealand the early advantage.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers were not without fight. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had been a standout bowler for Pakistan throughout the tournament, broke the opening partnership by dismissing Finn Allen for 22 runs. This brought the experienced Kane Williamson to the crease, and he immediately took charge. With Conway at the other end, the two added a crucial partnership of 57 runs, taking the game away from Pakistan.
Kane Williamson, the captain, played with his characteristic composure, accumulating runs steadily without taking undue risks. His knock of 51 runs* was the backbone of New Zealand’s chase. Devon Conway also contributed with a well-made 41 runs, helping to anchor the chase and keep the scoreboard ticking.
Pakistan’s bowlers tried hard, with Shaheen Afridi (1/38) and Mohammad Wasim (1/42) doing their best to keep their side in the game. However, New Zealand was just too clinical in their approach.
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With the match moving into its final stages, New Zealand was on course to finish the game in style. Pakistan did manage to claim a few late wickets, with Shadab Khan dismissing Tom Latham for 3 runs and Lockie Ferguson for a duck. But it was too little, too late for Pakistan, as New Zealand crossed the line with ease.
The match ended with New Zealand reaching their target of 175/5 in 46.2 overs, securing a 5-wicket victory.
Player of the Match: Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson was rightly named the Player of the Match for his composed and match-winning knock of 51 not out. His calmness under pressure, coupled with his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries when needed, made him an invaluable asset for New Zealand. His innings, supported by Devon Conway’s solid start, helped New Zealand chase down the target with relative ease.
Player of the Series: Matt Henry
Matt Henry was named the Player of the Series for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament. He was a constant threat with the ball and played a significant role in New Zealand’s triumph. With his lethal pace and ability to swing the ball both ways, Henry finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, and his contributions were key to New Zealand’s success.
Post-Match Reactions:
After the match, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, acknowledging the challenging conditions but praising his team’s composure under pressure. He also highlighted the team’s collective effort, emphasizing the importance of each player’s contribution to the victory.
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam, though disappointed with the result, credited New Zealand for their clinical performance. He acknowledged the fact that Pakistan’s total was not enough, and despite a valiant effort from his bowlers, they could not defend the total. He assured that his team would take valuable lessons from this defeat and strive to improve in future series.
Conclusion:
The final of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Tri-series was a thrilling contest that saw New Zealand emerge as the victors by 5 wickets. Despite Pakistan’s competitive spirit and some notable individual performances, they fell short of the required total. The win was a testament to their consistency and composure in high-pressure situations.
