New Zealand's players pose for photo with trophy after winning the tri-series final against Pakistan, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photo: AP/Fareed Khan New Zealand's players pose for photo with trophy after winning the tri-series final against Pakistan, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photo: AP/Fareed Khan

New Zealand will head into the upcoming Champions Trophy with confidence as the Kiwis defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the ODI tri-series final to lift the trophy on February 14, Friday at the Karachi National Stadium. (Match Live Blog | More Cricket News)

Both sides will meet again on February 19 in the opening game of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the same stadium. New Zealand and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India and Pakistan.

The tri-series, which also involved South Africa, was the final step for all three sides ahead of the eight-team tournament which Pakistan is hosting.

Starting the tournament as clear favourites, Paris Olympics bronze-medallists India haven't disappointed so far, beating hosts China 3-0, Japan 5-1, trouncing Malaysia 8-1 before registering a 3-1 victory against Korea in their last match.

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Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bat first but the decision did not go as expected for the Mohammad Rizwan-led side.

Fakhar Zaman (10) and Saud Shakeel (8) were dismissed in the powerplay itself with Babar Azam (29) also joining the duo in pavilion soon. Rizwan (46) and Salman Ali Agha (45) once again stitched a crucial partnership but both were dismissed before they could reach their half-centuries.

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Tayyab Tahir (22), Faheem Ashraf (19) and Naseem Shah (19) added a few runs down the order to stretch Pakistan's total to 242 before they were bowled out in 49.3 overs.

William O'Rourke was the standout Kiwi bowler with four wickets to his name. Michael Bracewell and captain Mitchell Santner picked up a couple of wickets each in their economical spells.

Despite losing opener Will Young early, New Zealand's chase remained on track as they continued putting up partnerships. Kane Williamson and Devon Conway were both dismissed before reaching fifties but Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham got to the landmark to make things easy for New Zealand.

The Kiwis completed the chase in 45.2 overs and finished the tri-series without a loss.

PAK Vs NZ Scorecard: Pakistan vs New Zealand Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman,th777 casino Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w)pesowin, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, William ORourke