Pakistan’s Babar Azam performs a shot in the course of the tri-series ODI cricket closing match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi on February 14, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Pakistan received the toss and elected to bat in opposition to New Zealand within the tri-nation collection closing on Friday (February 14, 2025) in a costume rehearsal for each groups forward of subsequent week’s opening recreation of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan eradicated South Africa from the ultimate with its epic run-chase of 355-4 on the identical venue on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) with captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha scoring centuries.
Pakistan introduced in quick bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for his first ODI since his final look in opposition to Sri Lanka on the Asia Cup in 2023.
Ashraf changed quick bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who went wicketless in his eight overs for 72 runs throughout Pakistan’s highest ever profitable run-chase in ODIs two days in the past.
“The pitch appears to be like just a little dry, and we need to put runs on the board,” Rizwan mentioned on the coin toss.“The ODI win within the final recreation was huge and it has given us the momentum.”
New Zealand, which beat each Pakistan and South Africa at Lahore final week, made two adjustments and introduced in Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Smith changed quick bowler Matt Henry whereas Duffy got here rather than Ben Sears, who has been dominated out of the Champions Trophy with a hamstring damage.
“The boys have performed right here so much and we had two trainings on related wickets,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner mentioned. “In Pakistan, the wickets are good. You all the time need to win, however there’s a much bigger image.”
Revealed – February 14, 2025 03:15 pm IST
