Phillips century and Santner's three wickets propel New Zealand to victory over Pakistan

Glenn Phillips struck a maiden century, while Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets as New Zealand secured a commanding 78-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-nation series in Lahore on Saturday.

Phillips remained unbeaten on 106 from 74 deliveries, striking seven sixes and six fours to guide the tourists to a formidable total of 330-6 in 50 overs. Santner then delivered a match-winning spell of 3-41 to help dismiss Pakistan for 252 in 47.5 overs.

South Africa are the third team participating in the series, which serves as a warm-up tournament for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled from 19 February to 9 March in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Phillips also played a crucial role with the ball, dismissing Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, who top-scored for the hosts with a 69-ball 84, including four sixes and seven fours.

Fakhar and Babar Azam, who was promoted to open the innings, provided Pakistan with a solid start of 52 runs. However, Michael Bracewell made the breakthrough by dismissing Azam for just ten runs.

Santner then took advantage of the slow surface at Gaddafi Stadium, removing Kamran Ghulam (18), captain Mohammad Rizwan (3), and Khushdil Shah (15), putting Pakistan on the back foot.

Salman Agha (40) and Tayyab Tahir (30) contributed a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket, but their efforts were insufficient in pursuit of a challenging target.

Pace bowler Matt Henry also impressed, taking 3-53, while Bracewell finished with figures of 2-41.

Earlier, New Zealand's innings was built around Phillips' century, with strong contributions from Daryl Mitchell (81) and Kane Williamson (58) after the visitors opted to bat first.

Phillips added a rapid 54-run partnership from just 47 balls with Bracewell for the sixth wicket. Bracewell chipped in with 31 off 23 deliveries, including three sixes.

New Zealand plundered 123 runs in the final ten overs, with 84 coming from the last five. Phillips accelerated towards his century in spectacular fashion, smashing a four and two sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi to bring up his hundred in 72 balls, accumulating 25 runs in the final over.

Shaheen endured an expensive outing, conceding 3-88 in his ten overs, though he gave Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing Will Young for four in the opening over.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed removed Rachin Ravindra for 25, but Williamson and Mitchell then steadied the innings with a 95-run partnership off 112 balls.

Williamson, playing his first ODI since November 2023, registered his 46th half-century, hitting seven boundaries before edging Shaheen to wicketkeeper Rizwan.

Mitchell looked well placed for a century but miscued a shot off Abrar in the 38th over and was caught after striking four sixes and two fours.

Pakistan suffered a further setback when pacer Haris Rauf left the field with a side strain in the 37th over, having bowled 6.2 overs and claimed the wicket of Tom Latham for nought.