New Delhi: Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell starred with the bat as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 78 runs at the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to get off to a winning start in the tri-series in Pakistan. Phillips slammed an unbeaten 106 off 74 balls to notch up his maiden ODI ton while Mitchell smashed 81 to power the Kiwis to a strong total of 330 runs, batting first.
New Zealand bowlers bundled out Pakistan for a paltry 252 during their run-chase to secure a thumping victory for the visitors. Skipper Mitchell Santner delivered a crucial spell while Michael Bracewell and Matt Henry too impressed with the ball as Kiwis dominated the proceedings with both bat and the ball in the game to go on top of the tri-series points table with their first two points on the board.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand got off to a shaky start as they lost opener Will Young cheaply on 4 in the very first over as left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi got Pakistan off to a flyer. The Kiwis then lost Rachin Ravindra cheaply on 25 as Pakistan reduced the visitors to 39/2. However, Kane Williamson combined with Mitchell to steady the ship.
Williamson and Mitchell slammed half-centuries apiece en route to their 95-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Williamson scored 58 off 89 balls before getting removed by Shaheen while Mitchell combined with centurion Philips for another important stand of 65 runs for the fifth wicket.
Philips stole the show with his batting display as he took the Pakistan bowlers to the cleaners on his way to smashing his maiden ODI ton. Phillips’ unbeaten 106 off 74 balls was studded with 6 fours and 7 sixes as his heroics along with a 23-ball 31 cameo from Michael Bracewell helped the Kiwis finish with a huge total of 330 runs on the board.
Glenn Phillips’ maiden ODI hundred! 🫡
The Kiwi all-rounder smashed a 72-ball century as 🇳🇿 took 25 runs off Shaheen Afridi in the final over to post a massive total of 330 at Gaddafi Stadium! 🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/UNiSYOcBUA
— FanCode (@FanCode) February 8, 2025
Fakhar Zaman’s effort goes in vain
Opener Fakhar Zaman waged a lone battle for Pakistan with a terrific knock of 84 runs off 69 balls in the run-chase but his efforts went in vain as the hosts fell short to succumb to a heavy defeat in the opener. Despite losing Babar Azam cheaply on 10 runs, Fakhar set the tempo for Pakistan with his swashbuckling approach at the top.
However, he failed to find support from the other end as the likes of Kamran Ghulam (18) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (3) too failed to deliver for the hosts. Fakhar was eventually trapped lbw by Phillips in the 24th over, reducing Pakistan to 119/4 in their chase.
His wicket was the turning point in the game as Pakistan all but lost the plot despite contributions from the likes of Salman Agha (40) and Tayyab Tahir (30) in the middle order. After spinners Bracewell and Santner ran through the top order, pacer Henry swept through Pakistan’s tail to set up a clinical victory for the Kiwis in the first game of the tri-series.
The tri-series is being played between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa ahead of the all-important Champions Trophy 2025. All three teams will play once against each other before the top two teams meet in the final. Pakistan will be in a must-win situation in their next game against South Africa on Wednesday, February 12. The hosts’ defeat against New Zealand has done significant damage to their chances of playing in the final.
Glenn Phillips slammed his maiden ODI ton to help New Zealand hammer Pakistan by 78 runs in the opening game of the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
