New Zealand claimed the Tri-Nation Series trophy with a five-wicket win over Pakistan on Friday.

The New Zealand bowlers set the tone for the match before they successfully chased down their target of 243 with 28 balls remaining.

Pakistan were dismissed for 242, with three deliveries left in their innings, though they had to push for that total after a strong New Zealand start made life difficult.

The hosts plodded to 48-2 from the powerplay, playing out 48 dots in that time, as Will O'Rourke (4-43) paved the way, taking Fakhar Zaman for 10 inside the fourth over.

Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Salman Ali Agha (45) steadied the nerves somewhat, though it had taken the captain 13 balls to get off the mark before Tayyab Tahir's lively 38 off 33 balls propelled them forward.

No other player got close to a half-century though. Mitchell Santner (2-20), who did not concede a single boundary, helped O'Rourke see off Pakistan's lower order, who managed just four boundaries in the last eight overs.

Despite their struggles with the bat, Pakistan showed their intent out in the field, as Will Young (five) was trapped lbw by Naseem Shah (2-43) after facing just seven deliveries.

New Zealand soon brushed off their shaky start though, with Devon Conway (48) and Kane Williamson (34), who got the only six in New Zealand's innings, keeping them in control.

Half-centuries by Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56) did the damage. Abrar Ahmed's diving catch to deny the latter delayed the result somewhat, but after Glenn Phillips (20 not out) survived a review after just getting back in time, he got the final run to clinch the win.

New Zealand win the tri-series final by five wickets.#3Nations1Trophy | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/cN3IxmCKTF

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 14, 2025

Data Debrief: No stopping New Zealand

New Zealand have now won their last three ODIs against Pakistan away from home, the first time they have managed such a run in the history of the format.

In fact, New Zealand have started a calendar year with three consecutive ODI victories on the road for the first time since 2022 (a run of four) as they sent out a strong message ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, with their first game of that tournament also against Pakistan in five days' time.

Despite the defeat, Babar Azam claimed a slice of history, becoming the 11th Pakistan player to score 6,000 runs in ODIs (6,019). He is the joint-fastest player to reach the milestone in the history of the format (123 innings, level with Hashim Amla for South Africa).