New Zealand won the opening match of the tri-nation series against Pakistan on Saturday by 78 runs after the hosts failed to chase a 331-run target in Lahore’s renovated stadium on Saturday.

It was an all-round performance by the Black Caps. All-rounder Glenn Phillips’s quick 106 powered his side to the big target against the hosts.

The right-handed batter, who came at sixth number, hammered Pakistani bowlers to remain not out for 106 after the end of the last over. He hit six fours and seven maximums.

Although Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed most wickets for 88 runs in 10 overs. Abrar Ahmed got two scalps while Haris Rauf got one wicket. The pacer was taken off the field after injury.

The Black Caps were 304 for 6 by the end of the second last over of the game. They made 26 runs in the last over. They did not have the desired start as Will Young was caught behind in the first over.

But the middle order, including former skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, gave a solid start to the team. Williamson was gone for 58 off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s delivery while Mitchell was caught at the short mid-wicket off Abrar Ahmed’s delivery after making 81 runs.

Tom Latham was gone for nought after Mitchell’s dismissal. It was Glen Phillips’s solid hitting that allowed the visiting side to surpass the 300-mark score.

He reached his hundred in the final over of the game. The right-handed batter hit six fours and seven maximums.

Michael Bracewell played a cameo of 31 runs.

While defending the total, New Zealand got their first breakthrough in the tenth over of the game when Babar Azam flicked a delivery but failed to keep it down. It was a fantastic catch by Phillips as he flied to his right to grab the bowl with both hands.

For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman was the highest scorer. He made 84 runs off 69 deliveries. There were some cameos from Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Abrar Ahmed. Haris Rauf was absent due to injury.

Santner and Matt Henry grabbed three wickets each. Michael Bracewell got two wickets.

Experienced New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

South Africa is the third team in the event, seen as a warm-up for the eight-nation Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19.

Each team plays two matches before the top two compete in the final in Karachi on February 14.

Teams

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke