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On Monday, February 10, New Zealand defeated South Africa by six wickets in a high-scoring second ODI of the tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, to secure their place in the final in four days' time. After Matthew Breetzke scored a 150 on debut, to help South Africa post a formidable total of 304/6 in their allotted 50 overs, Kane Williamson notched up his first ODI hundred in five years, 32nd in his career, to guide New Zealand over the line with eight balls to spare.
For the unversed, after winning the toss, New Zealand captain Tom Latham chose to bowl first on a misty morning at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and his decision was proven to a good one as Will O’Rourke dismissed South African captain Temba Bavuma for 20 in the first power play stage. Matthew Breetzke was joined by Jason Smith in the middle, and these two young players shared a 93-run stand for the second wicket before New Zealand fought back with two quick wickets.
Wiaan Mulder arrived at the crease in a tricky situation, but he and Matthew Breetzke regained momentum of the Protea innings while sharing a 131-run stand for the fourth wicket. Breetzke not only scored a hundred on ODI debut during this partnership, but also becoming the first batter in the history of the format to get to 150 runs in his first match, and following that, his innings came to a close in 148 balls after hitting 11 fours and five maximums.
South Africa got past 300 runs after a late flourish provided by Wiaan Mulder in death overs, going past his fifty, while for New Zealand, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke picked up a couple of wickets each. In the run chase, the Black Caps lost the early wicket of Will Young before experience of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson shone through as they shared a 187-run stand for the second wicket, to put their team on the brink of victory.
After Conway was dismissed for 97 runs in 107 balls with nine fours and one six, Williamson took complete control of the New Zealand innings as they headed to the finishing line. Despite losing wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham on back-to-back deliveries from Senuran Muthusamy, the Kiwis cruised home to a comfortable win as Kane Williamson stayed unbeaten on 133 runs in 113 balls with 13 fours and two maximums, which secured their spot in the final of the ODI tri-series.
In a couple of days’ time, hosts Pakistan will take on South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, to determine the second finalist of the tournament.
