All-Round Glenn Phillips helps New Zealand crush Pakistan in Tri series opener
New Zealand hammered Pakistan by 78 runs in the opening game of the tri-series on Saturday, February 8 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. After opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a massive score of 330/6 in their allotted 50 overs as Glenn Phillips (106* off 74) scored a breathtaking century. In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for 252 in 47.5 overs as Mitchell Santner (3/41) and Matt Henry (3/53) picked three wickets each.
Fakhar Zaman was the lone warrior for Pakistan with his breathtaking knock of 84 (69) comprising seven fours and four gigantic sixes. Earlier in the day, New Zealand lost Will Young (4) in the very first over as Shaheen Afridi continued his with his first-over strikes. Young’s opening partner, Rachin Ravindra (25 off 19) also departed after a good start as he hit Abrar Ahmed (2/41) straight into his hands to leave the Kiwis on 39/2.
Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-series, Match 1 Highlights
After two early blows, Daryl Mitchell walked in to bat and joined Daryl Mitchell at the crease as the duo added 95 runs for the third wicket off 112 balls. Williamson played second fiddle in the partnership and brought up his half century off 71 balls.
Seeing two set batters at the crease, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan brought back his main strike bowler Shaheen Afridi (3/88) and the speedster didn’t disappoint as he dismissed Williamson (58 off 89). At the other end, Haris Rauf also dismissed Tom Latham for a three-ball duck to leave New Zealand on 135/4.
Glenn Phillips gives New Zealand a flying finish
Glenn Phillips walked in at number six and calmed the nerves in the dressing room by adding run-a-ball 65 for the fifth wicket with Daryl Mitchell, who brought up his half-century off 61 balls. Mitchell missed out on his century getting dismissed for 81 (84) but Phillips went on to play a whirlwind innings.
The southpaw brought up his first fifty runs off 55 balls and took just 17 more balls to complete his sensational hundred. His innings was studded with six fours and seven sixes, which helped New Zealand surpass the 300-run mark.
In reply, Pakistan lost their star batter Babar Azam (10 off 23) cheaply who failed on his return to the opening slot after over nine years. However, his opening partner Fakhar Zaman kept Pakistan in the hunt with his quick-fire innings.
Fakhar Zaman’s heroics end in vain
He brought up his fifty off 48 balls, smashing five fours and two sixes and further shifted gears. While Zaman was smoking the Kiwi bowlers effortlessly, Mitchell Santner accounted for Kamran Ghulam (18 off 32) and captain Rizwan to keep the pressure on Pakistan.
Zaman was finally dismissed for 84 (69) as the golden arm of Glenn Phillips (1/18, 3 overs) trapped him in front of the stumps to leave the hosts on 119/4. Following his dismissal, Pakistan just couldn’t manage to make a comeback as the required run rate kept on climbing upwards. Salman Agha (40 off 51) and Tayyab Tahir (30 off 29) tried to rebuild the innings with their 53-run partnership off 57 balls.
However, it didn’t prove to be enough as Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 252, handing New Zealand a 78-run victory.
