Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan set a target of 243-run target for New Zealand in the final of the Tri-Nation Series in Karachi on Friday.
After winning the toss, the hosts opted to bat first but quickly found themselves under pressure as they lost Fakhar Zaman early, dismissed for just 16 runs in the fourth over.
Although Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel tried to steady the ship with a 30-run partnership, both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 54/3.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha then mounted a crucial recovery, adding 88 runs for the fourth wicket.
Rizwan top-scored with a gritty 46 runs off 76 balls, while Agha contributed a solid 45 from 65 deliveries.
However, their partnership was broken when Rizwan fell in the 32nd over, and Agha followed shortly after, leaving Pakistan at 161/5.
Tayyab Tahir kept the momentum going with a quick-fire 38 from 33 balls, but he too was dismissed, along with Khushdil Shah, in the space of a few overs.
With the lower order in, Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah provided some late resistance, adding 39 runs for the ninth wicket. Ashraf made 22 from 21 balls, and Naseem chipped in with 19 runs.
However, Pakistan's innings was wrapped up in 49.3 overs with Ashraf's dismissal on the first ball of the final over.
Will O'Rourke was the star for New Zealand, claiming four wickets for 43 runs, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner each took two wickets to help restrict Pakistan's total at 242.
Teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy
