WATCH: Glenn Phillips plays audacious reverse scoop off Shaheen Shah Afridi enroute to his 72-ball century

New Zealand star Glenn Phillips grabbed the headlines during the first match of the Tri-Series against Pakistan on Saturday. The series, which has been seen as a tune-up for the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament, also involves South Africa as the third side. Phillips scored a breath-taking century of just 72 balls to help New Zealand reach 330 on the board. 

Shaheen Afridi bowled a low full toss outside the off-stump after having been hit for a six in the previous ball. Phillips somehow read the length early and played the perfect reverse scoop as the ball travelled over the third-man region for a six. The audacity of the stroke left fans and commentators in complete shock. 

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SHOT OF THE YEAR 2025 . GLENN PHILLIPS🤯🤯#3Nations1Trophy#PAKvNZpic.twitter.com/rJjzkHsmLE

— All Rounder's Den (ARD) (@AllRoundersDen) February 8, 2025

Glenn Phillips just gave a glimpse of what kind of pitches can be expected in #ChampionsTrophy2025 🤓

Nevertheless what a sensational knock that was🔥💥

pic.twitter.com/Lf8yE3yZmw

— Mastikhor 🤪 (@ventingout247) February 8, 2025

More carnage awaited Pakistan’s ace pacer Afridi in the final over. Glenn Phillips smashed the left-arm seamer for 25 runs in the over. Afridi began the final over of the innings with two wide balls. The first legal delivery of the over saw Phillips hit Afridi for a four using the reverse scoop once again. 

The second ball of the over saw Afridi being hit over his head for a huge six and the third ball saw yet another maximum over the mid-wicket region. With two runs from the fourth ball, Phillips reached his maiden ODI ton off just 72 balls. The fifth ball off the over saw the batter hit Afridi for a boundary before ending the innings with a single. 

Glenn Phillips gives New Zealand a grandstandandstand finish 

Earlier in the day, Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bat first. Shaheen Afridi struck in the first over of the day as he got the wicket of Will Young for four runs. Abrar Ahmed then struck when he had the wicket of Rachin Ravindra for 25 runs. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell then added 95 runs for the third wicket in 112 balls. 

Afridi put an end to the stand when he had Williamson caught behind by skipper Rizwan for 58. Haris Rauf then got the huge wicket of Tom Latham for a duck in the 28th over. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips then added 65 runs for the fifth wicket in 64 balls. Mitchell was out after scoring 81 off 84 balls with two boundaries and four huge sixes. 

New Zealand ended their innings on 330 for six with Phillips not out on 106. His knock came off 74 balls with six boundaries and seven towering sixes. Michael Bracewell played a neat cameo with his knock of 31 off 23 balls with three sixes and a four. Afridi was the best bowler for the hosts with three wickets but was smashed for 88 runs from his ten overs.