New Zealand Clinches Third Successive Win in Tri-Nation Series Final Against Pakistan

Lahore, [Date]

New Zealand ended their preparations for the Champions Trophy on a high note, thumping Pakistan by five wickets in the tri-nation series final overnight to claim their third successive win in the tournament. Hosts Pakistan were dismissed for 242, while chasing a target of 243 runs, and New Zealand won with 16 balls to spare.

Fast bowler Will O'Rourke took 4-43, while captain Mitchell Santner turned in his best-ever economical one-day international figures of 2-20, helping the Black Caps build pressure on Pakistan's batsmen. Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56) led New Zealand to victory, with Mitchell particularly destructive with his sweep shots.

Pakistan struggled to cope with the two-paced pitch, losing their batters without any reaching a half-century. Babar Azam became the joint-fastest batter to reach 6000 ODI runs but perished soon after his milestone.

New Zealand's wicket-keeper, Kane Williamson, missed out on his third successive half-century but was given a decent start along with opening partner Devon Conway (48), who played another crucial knock. The two put on 71 runs before Conway departed off Naseem Shah's top-edging delivery.

Santner continued to excel with his economical bowling and claimed two wickets in one over, finishing the innings with impressive figures of 10-1. Pakistan allrounder Faheem Ashraf, playing his first ODI since 2023, was dropped twice before O'Rourke picked up him for the final two wickets.

The Black Caps' victory sets them up nicely for their Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan on Wednesday, with Santner urging his team not to get ahead of themselves. "Different guys stepping up at different times is good, but it means nothing till we play that first game... We just wanted to put in a good spot and build pressure."