When New Zealand vs Pakistan meet on the cricket field, one thing is certain—you’re in for a nail-biting contest. Over the years, these two teams have produced unforgettable matches filled with drama, intensity, and moments that stay etched in cricket history. The 2025 Tri-Nation Series Final at the National Stadium in Karachi was no different.
With Pakistan batting first and New Zealand chasing, the game had everything—early collapses, middle-order resilience, and a composed finish under pressure. Let’s break down the highlights, turning points, and final scorecard of this much-talked-about clash.
A Look at the Rivalry: New Zealand vs Pakistan Head-to-Head
Before diving into the final, it’s worth noting how closely matched these two teams have been historically.
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Tests: 62 matches – Pakistan 25 wins, New Zealand 14 wins, 23 draws
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ODIs: 119 matches – Pakistan 61 wins, New Zealand 54 wins, 1 tied, 3 no result
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T20Is: 46 matches – Pakistan 23 wins, New Zealand 21 wins, 2 no result
Total across formats: 227 matches – Pakistan leads with 109 wins, while New Zealand has 89.
This rivalry has always been competitive, and the 2025 final proved why fans around the world can’t get enough of this matchup.
Pakistan’s Innings: 242 All Out in 49.3 Overs
Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss, hoping to put up a challenging score. However, the innings turned into a rollercoaster ride.
Key Batting Highlights:
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Babar Azam (29 off 34): Looked fluent but couldn’t convert his start.
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Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 76): Anchored the innings but fell just when he was needed most.
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Salman Agha (45 off 65): Showed grit and built a vital partnership.
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Tayyab Tahir (38 off 33): Added momentum with quick boundaries.
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Faheem Ashraf (22 off 21): A short cameo that kept Pakistan alive near the end.
Unfortunately, regular wickets prevented Pakistan from building a solid foundation. The middle-order partnership between Rizwan and Salman Agha looked promising, but once they departed, the innings slipped away.
Final Score: Pakistan 242 all out in 49.3 overs.
New Zealand’s Bowling Performance
The Black Caps bowled with discipline and didn’t allow Pakistan to settle.
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Will O’Rourke: 4/43 in 9.3 overs – the standout bowler, removing key batsmen at crucial stages.
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Mitchell Santner: 2/20 in 10 overs – miserly as always, applying pressure with tight lines.
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Michael Bracewell: 2/38 in 10 overs – chipped in with important wickets.
O’Rourke’s spell was the game-changer, breaking Pakistan’s backbone in the middle and lower order.
New Zealand’s Chase: 246/5 in 48.4 Overs
Chasing 243, New Zealand knew it wouldn’t be easy against Pakistan’s bowling attack. The start was rocky, but composure from the middle order made all the difference.
Batting Standouts:
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Devon Conway (48 off 74): Gave stability at the top but couldn’t finish the job.
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Kane Williamson (34 off 49): Looked good before falling at a crucial moment.
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Daryl Mitchell (57 off 58): Played a counter-attacking knock that kept the chase alive.
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Tom Latham (56 off 64): Calm under pressure, steering New Zealand toward victory.
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*Glenn Phillips (20 off 17)**: Finished the job with confidence in the final overs.
The 100+ partnership between Mitchell and Latham tilted the game firmly in New Zealand’s favor. By the time Phillips walked in, the match was nearly sealed.
Final Score: New Zealand 246/5 in 48.4 overs, winning by 5 wickets.
Pakistan’s Bowling Effort
Despite putting up a below-par score, Pakistan’s bowlers fought hard.
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Shaheen Afridi: 1/46 in 10 overs – sharp with the new ball but lacked support.
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Haris Rauf: 1/58 in 10 overs – expensive at times but picked up a wicket.
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Faheem Ashraf: 1/45 in 9 overs – kept things steady.
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Abrar Ahmed: 1/62 in 10 overs – found little help from the pitch.
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Salman Agha: 1/33 in 9.4 overs – economical and effective in the middle overs.
While they managed early breakthroughs, Pakistan couldn’t maintain consistent pressure once Mitchell and Latham settled in.
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Match Turning Points
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Early Collapse: Pakistan’s top order stumbled, and despite a mini-recovery, they never fully recovered.
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Middle-Order Resistance: Rizwan and Salman Agha stitched together a partnership, but their dismissals came at the worst time.
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O’Rourke’s Magic: His four wickets prevented Pakistan from crossing 260–270, which could have been match-winning.
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Mitchell-Latham Partnership: The steady, risk-free batting of these two players broke Pakistan’s momentum.
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Calm Finish: Glenn Phillips ensured no late drama, guiding New Zealand home comfortably.
Player Awards
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Player of the Match: Will O’Rourke (New Zealand) – his 4-wicket haul was the defining factor.
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Player of the Series: Salman Agha (Pakistan) – consistent with the bat, keeping Pakistan competitive.
Match Info at a Glance
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Fixture: Final – Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2025
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Date: February 14, 2025
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Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
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Toss: Pakistan chose to bat
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Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets
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Umpires: Ahsan Raza, Richard Illingworth
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TV Umpire: Michael Gough
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Reserve Umpire: Asif Yaqoob
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Match Referee: David Boon
FAQs About the Match
1. Who was the best performer in the final?
Will O’Rourke was the standout, taking 4 wickets and winning Player of the Match.
2. What was Pakistan’s final score?
Pakistan scored 242 runs in 49.3 overs.
3. How did New Zealand win?
They chased down 243 with 5 wickets and 8 balls to spare, thanks to solid partnerships in the middle.
4. Who was the Player of the Series?
Salman Agha (Pakistan), for his consistent contributions with the bat.
5. Where was the final played?
At the iconic National Stadium in Karachi.
Final Thoughts
The New Zealand vs Pakistan 2025 final was a reminder of why cricket fans love this rivalry. Pakistan had moments of brilliance, but a few missed chances and O’Rourke’s inspired bowling proved costly. New Zealand, on the other hand, displayed patience, composure, and clinical finishing to lift the trophy.
As fans, we couldn’t have asked for a better contest—thrills, drama, and high-quality cricket all the way. With young stars stepping up and experienced campaigners guiding the chase, this match will be remembered as yet another epic chapter in the Pakistan-New Zealand cricket rivalry.
