Phillips’ Heroics Propel New Zealand to 330 Against Pakistan
From there, Phillips took charge, smashing an unbeaten 106 off just 74 balls, featuring six fours and seven sixes.
New Zealand posted a strong 331-run target for Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, thanks to Glenn Phillips’ sensational century.
Opting to bat first, the visitors managed 330/6 in 50 overs, with key contributions from Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Phillips.
Pakistan struck early as Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Will Young for a duck in the first over. Williamson and Rachin Ravindra then steadied the innings, adding 35 runs before Abrar Ahmed removed Ravindra (25 off 19) in the eighth over.
Williamson (58 off 89) and Mitchell (81 off 84) anchored the innings, stitching a crucial 95-run partnership. However, Shaheen broke the stand by dismissing Williamson.
Haris Rauf then sent Tom Latham back for a duck, reducing New Zealand to 135/4 in 27.1 overs.
Mitchell kept the scoreboard ticking with a vital 65-run stand alongside Phillips before falling to Abrar in the 38th over.
From there, Phillips took charge, smashing an unbeaten 106 off just 74 balls, featuring six fours and seven sixes.
He was well supported by Michael Bracewell, who chipped in with 31 off 23 balls.
For Pakistan, Shaheen led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Abrar picked up two and Rauf took one.
The tri-nation series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, runs from February 8 to 14 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, and National Bank Stadium, Karachi.
The tournament serves as key preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ben Sears, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke.