Pakistan set a target of 243 runs in the final match of the Tri-Nation Series against New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

Despite a challenging start and consistent pressure from the New Zealand bowlers, Pakistan managed to post a total of 242 runs before being bowled out in 49.3 overs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan faced early setbacks. Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman fell cheaply in the fourth over, dismissed by Will O’Rourke for just 16 runs.

Despite this early loss, Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam tried to stabilize the innings, adding 30 runs together. However, both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 54/3 in the 11.5 overs.

Shakeel contributed 8 runs off 14 balls, while Azam scored 29 runs from 34 balls, which included five boundaries and a six. Following their departure, captain Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha anchored the innings, adding a vital 88 runs.

Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 46 runs from 76 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Agha made 45 runs from 65 balls, hitting one four and one six.

The partnership was broken when Rizwan was dismissed in the 32nd over, followed by Agha's departure just five overs later, leaving Pakistan at 161/5.

Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir provided some resistance with a quick 38 runs off 33 balls, including five boundaries and a six. He formed a short partnership with Khushdil Shah before both were dismissed within eight balls.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf and tailender Naseem Shah contributed valuable runs in the final overs. They added a 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket, with Ashraf scoring 22 off 21 balls and Naseem making 19 runs. Ashraf was dismissed on the first ball of the final over.

Will O’Rourke was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming four wickets for 43 runs in 9.3 overs. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner also played key roles, taking two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

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