Pakistan set 243-run target for New Zealand in tri-series final

KARACHI: Will O’Rourke bagged a four-fer as New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for 242 in the PAK vs NZ tri-nation series final on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan were off to a dismal start as opening batter Fakhar Zaman perished after scoring 10 off 15 balls.

His opening partner Babar Azam was then joined by Saud Shakeel and the two took Pakistan to 46 before the latter was castled by Michael Bracewell on eight.

Babar Azam was the next to fall after scoring 29 off 34 deliveries, leaving Pakistan struggling at 54 in 11.5 overs.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Agha then stitched an 88-run stand to stabilise Pakistan’s inning in the PAK vs NZ tri-nation series final.

However, the partnership came to an end when Rizwan fell to Will O’Rourke after scoring 46 off 76 balls.

With Pakistan at 142/4, Tayyab Tahir arrived at the crease to join Salman Agha, however, their partnership ended quickly as Agha was dismissed on 45 off 65 deliveries.

Tayyab Tahir added 38 off 33 balls to the total while allrounder Faheem Ashraf contributed 22 runs to the total.

Pacer Naseem Shah was the last to fall after scoring 19 runs off 17 balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 242 in 49.3 overs.

The home side brought in all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in place of pacer Mohammad Hasnain for the final ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan are facing New Zealand in the PAK vs NZ final after defeating South Africa in the penultimate game of the tri-nation series in Karachi on February 12.

Pakistan Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.

Pertinent to note here that New Zealand and Pakistan faced off in the tri-nation series opener in Lahore as the tourists beat Pakistan by 78 runs.

New Zealand and Pakistan then went on to win their respective games against South Africa to set up a PAK vs NZ tri-nation series final.