Pakistan and New Zealand opened the ODI Tri-Series on February 8, 2025, at the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, with New Zealand putting on a commanding performance, scoring 330 runs for 6 wickets.
New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision came after South Africa had been announced as the third team participating in this tri-series, which serves as important preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, also to be held across Pakistan and the UAE.
The Kiwis faced some early turbulence, losing opener Will Young without scoring on the very first ball. The pressure intensified as they lost Rachin Ravindra soon after, leaving them at 20 for 2 within the first few overs. Amidst this early woe, veteran Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell teamed up to salvage the innings with their solid partnership, pushing New Zealand past 100 runs.
Williamson played steadily, reaching his half-century but fell short of converting it to a larger score, contributing 52 runs off 82 balls. Daryl Mitchell provided pivotal support, anchoring the innings effectively with his 81 runs off 84 balls. The duo's partnership was pivotal, stabilizing the innings when early wickets had them at risk.
The highlight of the innings came from Glenn Phillips, who struck the first century of the series, scoring 106 runs off just 81 balls. His performance included several explosive shots, particularly taking advantage of the final overs. With 25 runs came off the last over alone, Phillips helped propel New Zealand to their final total of 330, showcasing his batting prowess with remarkable boundaries and sixes.
Pakistan had previously swept South Africa 3-0 in their own turf and came to this match buoyed by confidence. Shaheen Afridi was the notable bowler for Pakistan, concluding with figures of 3 wickets for 63 runs, though his efforts contrasted sharply with Phillips' explosive batting.
Throughout the New Zealand innings, other batters like Michael Bracewell made contributions as well, but none could match Phillips’ success, which proved instrumental to achieving such a large total. The batting display by New Zealand was marked by smart partnerships, where they managed to recover after losing early wickets.
This match marked the beginning of the tri-series, which is the first ODI competition of its kind hosted by Pakistan since 2004. Following the opener between Pakistan and New Zealand, the series will see South Africa face New Zealand followed by Pakistan battling against South Africa, with the final scheduled for February 14, which will determine the champions of this much-anticipated series.
Fans eagerly awaited the action at the Gaddafi Stadium, celebrating the return of international cricket matches to Pakistan, underlining the nation’s sporting revival. Live telecasts have been made available through various networks, signaling broad interest from cricket enthusiasts.
The stage is now set as both teams look to hone their skills before the Champions Trophy, where form and confidence gained from this series could prove invaluable. Pakistan will need to regroup and devise strategies to counter New Zealand’s strengths, particularly their powerful batting display.