Mohammad Rizwan opens up on loss to New Zealand in tri-nation series final

Pakistan's white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has called for better fielding after his team's disappointing defeat in the final of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium on Friday. 

Pakistan, defending a modest target of 243 runs, struggled in the field, making key errors that cost them dearly. Tom Latham, the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter, was dropped twice during his innings. The first drop came on 15 runs when Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to catch him off his own bowling. Then, at 27 runs, Saud Shakeel dropped him at square leg off Abrar Ahmed's bowling. 

Latham made Pakistan pay for these mistakes, going on to score a match-winning 56 off 64 balls, including five boundaries. His contribution helped New Zealand successfully chase down the target, losing just five wickets and with 28 balls to spare.

After the match, Rizwan acknowledged the team’s weaknesses in the fielding department. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said, "We need to improve our fielding. If we look at all three games, there is much room for improvement. This is one area where we have been lacking." 

Rizwan also stressed the importance of focusing on fielding ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19.

The Pakistan captain also pointed out that his team's total was not enough to defend. Rizwan, who had scored a match-winning century against South Africa on Wednesday, said, “We were 15 runs short of a defendable total. We wanted to bat first because we thought the pitch would be tougher in the second half, but their bowlers restricted us well. We were aiming for 280, but they kept things tight.”

Rizwan also discussed his own crucial wicket, adding, "Agha and I were trying to build a partnership, but their bowlers didn’t give us many scoring opportunities. When I got out, it was a big blow."

New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim the tri-nation ODI series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday. Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul, along with half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56), guided the Blackcaps to victory.

Chasing 243, New Zealand comfortably reached the target with 28 balls to spare. After an early setback at 5/1, Kane Williamson (34) and Devon Conway (48) steadied the innings. Mitchell and Latham then shared an 87-run partnership to take New Zealand to the brink of victory. Glenn Phillips (20*) finished the job.

Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 242, with Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 46. O’Rourke’s four wickets and contributions from Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell helped New Zealand bowl Pakistan out.

With this win, New Zealand clinched the tri-nation ODI series.