KARACHI: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final on Friday in a dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of next week’s opening game of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan eliminated South Africa from the final with its epic run-chase of 355-4 at the same venue on Wednesday with captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha scoring centuries.
Pakistan brought in fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for his first ODI since his last appearance against Sri Lanka at the Asia Cup in 2023.
Ashraf replaced fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who went wicketless in his eight overs for 72 runs during Pakistan’s highest ever successful run-chase in ODIs two days ago.
“The pitch looks a little dry, and we want to put runs on the board,” Rizwan said at the coin toss.”The ODI win in the last game was massive and it has given us the momentum.”
New Zealand, which beat both Pakistan and South Africa at Lahore last week, made two changes and brought in Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Smith replaced fast bowler Matt Henry while Duffy came in place of Ben Sears, who has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a hamstring injury.
“The boys have played here a lot and we had two trainings on similar wickets,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said. “In Pakistan, the wickets are good. You always want to win, but there’s a bigger picture.”
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.
Pakistan win the toss and bat against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final
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Pakistan win the toss and bat against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final
- Final is a dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of next week’s opening game of the Champions Trophy
- Pakistan eliminated South Africa from final with epic run-chase of 355-4 at same venue on Wednesday
Saudi Arabia awards Pakistani army chief with King Abdulaziz Medal
- Medal recognizes Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts in strengthening Saudi-Pakistani friendship, advancing joint cooperation
- Munir reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to security, stability and prosperity of Saudi Arabia, says Pakistan military’s media wing
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman presented the King Abdulaziz Medal of the First Class to Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Sunday in a ceremony at his office in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The SPA said Munir was awarded the medal following a royal order from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. The medal recognizes Munir’s distinguished efforts in strengthening Saudi-Pakistani friendship, advancing joint cooperation and developing relations between the two countries.
“Upon the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ directive, Minister of Defense decorates Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class,” the SPA wrote on social media platform X.
Munir’s meeting with Prince Khalid featured a review of historical ties, strategic defense cooperation between the two countries and discussions on promoting international peace and security.
Pakistan military’s media wing said the award also reflects Munir’s contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security.
“The conferment of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class underscores the depth of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan military’s media wing, said.
Munir thanked the Saudi leadership for the honor, describing it as a “reflection of the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.”
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the Kingdom,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have eyed closer economic and defense ties in recent months. The two countries signed a historic strategic defense pact in September this year, according to which an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both.
In October, Islamabad and Riyadh agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework to expand bilateral trade and investment ties.
