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PAK vs NZ Highlights: Latham, Mitchell Slam Fiery Fifties As Pakistan Lose Tri-Series Final

Soumyajit Dutta

Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]

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New Zealand claimed the Tri-Series by five wickets as Pakistan faltered on their own home soil. Given to bat first, a strong Kiwi bowling attack paired with a middle order anchoring helped the Kiwis beat the Men in Green just ahead of the Champions Trophy.

With the finale being a high-octane affair, here's a look at how things panned out between New Zealand and Pakistan during the final match at National Stadium, Karachi:

NZ vs PAK Highlights: Kiwis Attack Early, Pakistan Struggles To Survive

Pakistan opted to bat first in the high-stakes affair against New Zealand. However, their strategy backfired as William O'Rourke, Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell cleaned up the top order within 12 overs leaving Pakistan reeling at 54-3. 

While Zaman left too soon, Babar Azam stayed at the crease for a brief period of time to complete his 6000 ODI runs. Saud Shakeel however, left scoring only 8 runs as he fell prey to Bracewell's witty delivery in the 9th over. Nevertheless, a stable partnership later anchored Pakistan's ship.

NZ vs PAK Highlights: Rizwan-Salman Pair Offers Resistance To The Kiwi Attack

After the early scares, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan came in to pair up with Agha Salman for a massive 88-run stand. It offered a brisk resistance and some respite to Pakistan's dressing room. While Rizwan sailed to 46 runs in a slow and composed manner, Salman paced to 40 off 53 balls.

However, both were dismissed in quick succession by O'Rourke and Bracewell. Coming in next, Tayyab Tahir (38 off 33) and Faheem Ashraf (22 off 21) stepped up to push past Pakistan's total off the 240-run mark.

NZ vs PAK Highlights: Williamson-Conway Gives New Zealand A Solid Start

Coming in to chase, New Zealand had its fair share of early scares with Will Young gone in the second over. However, Kane Williamson and Devon Conway ramped up things with their fireworks. They paired up for a 71-run stand to give the Kiwis a solid start. 

Naseem Shah denied Conway's half-century as he was gone in an attempt to clear the ropes. Kane Williamson (34 off 49) was also clean-bowled by Agha Salman in the 18th over.

NZ vs PAK Highlights: Tom Latham Seals The Deal For New Zealand; Wraps Up Game With Half-Ton

Tom Latham, who has been off-form recently drove the game home with shining 56 off 64 balls. After Conway's wicket, Daryl Mitchell (57) fired all guns to build an 87-run partnership with Tom Latham. After Mitchell was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 39th over, Glenn Phillips stepped in to pair with Latham.

Though Latham was gone during the close of the match, Phillips along with Bracewell wrapped up the game as Pakistan bit the dust on their home soil. New Zealand bagged the series remaining undefeated and will be brimming with confidence as they lock in for the Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan.