KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — In the tri-nation series final, Pakistan emerged victorious in the toss and opted to take the batting stance against New Zealand, setting the stage for a thrilling clash that served as a prelude to the upcoming opening match of the Champions Trophy. The riveting encounter unfolded as a dress rehearsal that tested the mettle of both teams, with Pakistan recently garnering attention for its remarkable run-chase performance against South Africa. With an impressive total of 355-4 achieved in the previous match at the same venue, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha showcased their prowess by notching up centuries on the scoreboard.
To enhance their lineup, Pakistan introduced fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for his first One-Day International appearance since his participation in the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka back in 2023. Ashraf’s inclusion came at the expense of Mohammad Hasnain, the fast bowler who remained without a wicket in his spell of eight overs, conceding 72 runs during Pakistan’s historic run-chase triumph in the recent match. Commenting on the decision, Rizwan noted, “The pitch appears slightly dry, and our aim is to post a formidable total. The significant victory in the last ODI encounter has injected momentum into our team.”
On the other side, New Zealand, having secured victories against both Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore last week, opted for strategic changes by bringing in Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Smith was selected in place of fast bowler Matt Henry, while Duffy replaced Ben Sears, who sustained a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy. Offering insights into their strategy, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner remarked, “The team is well-acquainted with the playing conditions here, having trained on similar wickets. In Pakistan, the pitches are conducive to good cricket. While victory is always a goal, our focus extends to the broader perspective.”
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Lineups:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
