New Zealand registers dominant win over Pakistan in tri-series opener

Glenn Phillips’ explosive century and an impressive bowling effort helped New Zealand secure a strong start in the tri-nation series, defeating Pakistan by 78 runs in their opening match at the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

Phillips played a stunning unbeaten knock of 106 from 74 deliveries, guiding New Zealand to a commanding total of 330-6 after opting to bat first.

In response, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered, getting bowled out for 254 in the 48th over, despite Fakhar Zaman’s valiant 84-run effort.

Chasing 331, Pakistan began steadily, with Fakhar dispatching loose deliveries and Babar Azam cautiously settling into his role as an opener—a position he had to take due to the squad featuring only one specialist opener.

However, Babar’s innings was cut short at 10, as Glenn Phillips took a brilliant diving catch at square leg off Michael Bracewell’s bowling.

Kamran Ghulam (18) then partnered with Fakhar for a 51-run second-wicket stand before being dismissed by captain Mitchell Santner, caught in the deep by Will Young. Santner soon trapped Mohammad Rizwan lbw for just three, leaving Pakistan struggling at 117-3 in the 23rd over.

Phillips then made another crucial impact, trapping Fakhar lbw in the next over. Fakhar, who had brought up his 17th ODI half-century off 48 balls, smashed four sixes and seven fours in his 69-ball 84.

At this stage, Tayyab Tahir and Agha Salman attempted to rebuild Pakistan’s innings, adding 53 runs before Matt Henry dismissed Tayyab, courtesy of an excellent catch at square leg by Bracewell.

Tayyab contributed 30 off 29 balls, hitting four boundaries, as Pakistan reached 172-5 in the 34th over. Santner then removed Khushdil Shah (15), while Bracewell dismissed Agha Salman, who managed 40 off 51 balls, striking two fours and a six.

The New Zealand bowlers then cleaned up the tail, sealing a comprehensive victory and boosting their confidence ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Mitchell Santner (3-41), Matt Henry (3-55), and Michael Bracewell (2-41) delivered impactful spells.

Earlier, Phillips had been the star of the show, crafting a brilliant century with seven sixes and six fours on a slow surface.

Coming in when New Zealand were 135-4 in the 28th over, Phillips played with supreme authority to register his maiden ODI hundred.

He took on every bowler fearlessly, hammering 25 runs in Shaheen Afridi’s final over, including two sixes and two fours. Phillips reached his fifty in 55 balls and his century in just 72 deliveries, forming an unbroken 76-run seventh-wicket partnership with Santner (8*).

New Zealand accelerated in the final five overs, adding 84 runs. Phillips, who was dropped by Abrar on 81 off Naseem Shah’s bowling, also shared a 54-run stand off 47 balls with Michael Bracewell (31 off 23, three sixes, one four) for the sixth wicket.

Daryl Mitchell also played a crucial role, scoring 81 off 84 balls, including four sixes. He built partnerships with Phillips and Kane Williamson, who made 58.

Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s most expensive bowler, conceding 88 runs in his 10-over spell while picking up three wickets. Abrar bowled economically, finishing with 2-41 in his full quota.

Naseem Shah (0-70 in 10) and Khushdil Shah (0-66 in 9) proved costly as well.

Haris Rauf, who bowled well early on, left the field in the 37th over due to chest and abdominal discomfort. Following medical assessment, the PCB confirmed a low-grade strain.

After a rest day on Sunday, New Zealand will face South Africa on Monday in Lahore before the series shifts to Karachi for the remaining two matches at the National Stadium on February 12 and 14.