TRI-SERIES IN PAK
NZ ride on Williamson's ton to book place in final
February 11, 2025 00:00:00
New Zealand's Kane Williamson celebrates after scoring a century during the Tri-Nation series second ODI against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday-AFP
LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb 10 (AFP): Star cricketer Kane Williamson hit a brilliant century to take New Zealand into the tri-series final with a thumping six-wicket win on Monday, overshadowing South African opener Matthew Breetzke's record score on debut.
Breetzke scored 150 -- the highest score by any batter in his first one-day international -- to lift South Africa to 304-6 but Williamson's unbeaten 133 proved match winning at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The tri-series is a warm-up event before the eight-nation Champions Trophy starting February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan, the third team in the tri-series, will play South Africa on Wednesday in Karachi to decide who meets New Zealand in the final at the same venue on Friday.
Williamson hit his first ODI century in nearly five years on Monday and was ably supported by opener Devon Conway who missed his century by just three runs.
The pair added a solid 187 runs for the second wicket after Will Young was dismissed for 19, steadily setting New Zealand's second win in as many games in the tri-series.