Phillips' blistering century, Mitchell's brilliance set up commanding win

New Zealand overpowered Pakistan with a 78-run triumph in the opening match of the tri-nation series at the newly refurbished Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, as Daryl Mitchell's commanding 81 and a clinical bowling display dismantled the hosts.  

Set a daunting 331-run target, Pakistan crumbled for 252 inside the 48th over, with Haris Rauf unable to bat due to rib pain. Fakhar Zaman's determined 84, Salman Ali Agha’s solid 40, and Tayyab Tahir’s gritty 30 stood as the only notable contributions with the bat.  

Babar Azam failed to impose himself, perishing for 10, while Kamran Ghulam (18), Mohammad Rizwan (3), Khushdil Shah (15), Shaheen Shah Afridi (10) and Naseem Shah (13) faltered against New Zealand’s disciplined attack.

Abrar Ahmed offered late resistance, striking a rapid 23 off 15 deliveries before Naseem Shah, the last batter dismissed, signalled the end of the innings.  

New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans with precision. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner led the charge with a clinical 3-41, while pacer Matt Henry matched his tally with 3-53.

Michael Bracewell chipped in with 2-41, Glenn Phillips added 1-18, whereas Will O’Rourke (0-46) and Ben Sears (0-39) remained wicketless.  

Earlier, Glenn Phillips’ scintillating unbeaten 106 off 74 deliveries, complemented by fifties from Daryl Mitchell (81) and Kane Williamson (58), propelled New Zealand to a formidable 330-6.  

Batting first, the Black Caps suffered an early setback as openers Will Young (4) and Rachin Ravindra (25) departed with only 39 on the board.

New Zealand’s batting linchpin Williamson steadied the innings with a composed knock, striking seven boundaries.  

Daryl Mitchell then took charge, bludgeoning two fours and four sixes to provide impetus to the innings. Tom Latham failed to make an impact, falling for a duck off Haris Rauf’s delivery.  

However, Phillips wrested control with a devastating counterattack, hammering six fours and seven towering sixes to shift the momentum decisively.

Michael Bracewell contributed with a quickfire cameo, clearing the ropes three times and adding a boundary. Skipper Santner remained unbeaten on 8 from five deliveries.  

For Pakistan, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed impressed with an economical 2-41, claiming two crucial scalps. Despite picking up three wickets, Afridi endured a torrid outing, conceding 81 runs in his ten overs.

Haris Rauf, who looked sharp with 1-21, left the field due to discomfort. Salman Ali Agha (0-31), Naseem Shah (0-70), and Khushdil Shah (0-66) failed to break through.  

New Zealand will now face South Africa in the second fixture of the tri-nation series on Monday.