After defeating Pakistan by 78 runs in the opening game of the Tri-Nation Series, New Zealand launched into a strong start. Choosing to bat first, the tourists scored 330 runs. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was packed, and Pakistan could only muster 252.
After causing Will Young’s bat to get nicked, Shaheen Shah Afridi hit his first dismissal of the day on the fourth delivery of the game. In the centre, Rachin Ravindra looked pleasing. After the first 10 overs, the Kiwis were at 42/2, albeit, after he was dismissed in the eighth over.
In the ensuing 10-over stretch, the BlackCaps managed to avoid losing a single wicket as Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson gradually established an essential middle-field partnership. At his slowest pace in his ODI career, Williamson reached his half-century off 82 deliveries. The 26th and 27th overs saw a couple of strikes that put New Zealand on the defensive.
Mitchell was joined by Glenn Phillips in the centre. Mitchell left for 81, but the two of them were getting along just fine. The 42nd over began with Phillips on 26 off 39 deliveries. It took the aggressive middle-order batsman just 72 balls to reach his first century in the format. After 50 overs, the Black Caps scored 330 runs, producing an absolutely thrilling performance of hard-hitting.
Pakistan responded in a very nice manner. After settling in a bit, Fakhar Zaman started working. From Will O’Rourke’s third over, he scored fifteen runs. In the over that followed, O’Rourke hit another maximum. A powerplay that was almost faultless ended when Babar Azam was removed on the last ball of the tenth over.
Given the increasing quantity of dot deliveries, Kamran Ghulam appeared to have become overwhelmed by the pressure, while Mitchell Santner’s wicket-taking performance was lacking. Shortly afterward, the Kiwi captain defeated his opposite number, Muhammad Rizwan. With Zaman leaving in the following over, Pakistan’s path was always going to be difficult.
After Pakistan’s ninth wicket fell, the match was over, with Haris Rauf not playing because of an injury he suffered while bowling. Abrar Ahmed finished with 23 runs and was not out. The triumph for New Zealand was a resounding one. Matt Henry took three wickets in the end, in addition to Santner.
Check out how X reacted to Match 1 of the Tri-Nation Series between Pakistan and New Zealand
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 76 Runs in the first Match after renovation at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore#Triseries #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/CjyO9kvNWL
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) February 8, 2025
When was the last time PCT played all 50 overs in an ODI game? Apart from all the shuffling in playing 11, this is another important element to address in CT. Win/lose, playing all 50 overs puts a team in a better position.#PAKvNZ
— Attiya Sheikh (@Attiya03) February 8, 2025
Amazing Captaincy @MitchellSantner 👏👏 #PAKvNZ
— Asim Mehmood (@imAsim001) February 8, 2025
Still scratching my head over the management. Played Irfan Niazi and Haseebullah in multiple series only to drag Khushdil and Tayyab Tahir back in. One of them failed miserably tonight. Sufyan Muqeem should be in. Pak needs to think a lot now. #PAKvNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Muhammad Muzammil (@M_u_z_i_21) February 8, 2025
Abrar Ahmad giving lesson to batters #tapmad #PakvNZ #CatchEveryMatch #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/5MXcqTsU2e
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) February 8, 2025
A terrifying moment on the field! 💔
Rachin Ravindra misjudges the ball under the lights and takes a brutal hit near the eye
Blood visible, and he’s escorted off the field. Wishing him a speedy recovery! 🙏 #NZvsPAK #RachinRavindra #ChampionsTrophy2025 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/qmSvnDz1zr— ShivRaj Yadav (@shivaydv_) February 8, 2025
PCB should improve the Quality of light in the Ground.
Rachin Ravindra misjudges the ball under bad lights and takes a brutal hit near the eye.
Hope he Recover soon…. 🙏🏻#PAKvNZ || Rachin Ravindra ||
— Sudarshan🇮🇳 (@Imsudarshan__) February 8, 2025
India
