New Zealand gears up for Champions Trophy by beating Pakistan in tri-nation series final.
Published On 14 Feb 2025
New Zealand has rounded off a perfect preparation for the Champions Trophy by thumping Pakistan by five wickets in a tri-nation series final.
Five days before the teams meet again to open the Champions Trophy, host Pakistan was dismissed for 242, and New Zealand cruised to 243-5 in the 46th over on Friday.
Fast bowler Will O’Rourke staked his claim for Wednesday’s opener with 4-43, and captain Mitchell Santner returned his best-ever economical one-day international figures of 2-20.
None of the Pakistan batters got a half-century while Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56) led New Zealand to a third successive win in the tournament, clinched by Pakistan’s 16th wide delivery.
The Black Caps had beaten both Pakistan and South Africa in group games in Lahore.
“Different guys stepping up at different times is good, but it means nothing till we play that first game at the Champions Trophy,” Santner said.
The teams will return to the same ground on Wednesday. “It [the pitch] was a bit slower than what we thought it would be,” Santner said. “We just wanted to put in a good spot and build pressure. If we take wickets up front, it makes the job easier in the middle.”
Left-hander Latham, who came into the final without a run in both games at Lahore, could have been dismissed on 15 and 27.
However, he was dropped both times, and Pakistan didn’t go for an LBW video referral when replays suggested leg spinner Abrar Ahmed could have overturned the on-field umpire’s decision.
Latham stretched his luck when he successfully reviewed an on-field out ruling for caught behind off Shaheen Shah Afridi. He reached his half-century off 60 balls.
Latham and Mitchell put on 87 runs off 88 balls, dominating the spinners with sweep shots, before both fell late in the run chase.
“He [Latham] is pretty relieved as well,” Santner said of Latham’s 64-ball knock. “We know how good he is, and it was just a matter of time. It was nice for different guys to fire as well.”
Devon Conway (48) played another meaningful knock after being inserted as an opener while Rachin Ravindra was rested after a head knock in the field during the first game against Pakistan.
Conway laid the foundation in a 71-run partnership with Kane Williamson (34), who missed out on his third successive half-century.
Conway top-edged Naseem Shah (2-43), which brought Latham to the crease to join Mitchell.
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