New Zealand complete 3-0 clean sweep over Pakistan to clinch ODI series victory
MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand cruised to a 43-run victory over Pakistan in the third ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash.
Chasing a target of 265, Pakistan suffered an early blow when Imam-ul-Haq was struck on the jaw while running between the wickets. The injury ruled him out of the game, and Usman Khan came in as his replacement.
Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam tried to stabilize the innings with a 68-run stand that temporarily steadied the ship.
However, the breakthrough came when Shafique was caught by Ben Sears for 33, leaving Pakistan at 73-1 in the 17th over.
Usman Khan couldn’t make an impact, falling for 12 to Muhammad Abbas.
Babar Azam continued his fluent form, reaching a composed fifty that included four fours and a six. But his innings was cut short at 108-3 in the 24th over when Mitchell Santner struck to claim his first wicket.
Agha Salman joined skipper Mohammad Rizwan to add 27 more runs, but their partnership was brief as Ben Sears dismissed Salman for 11, reducing Pakistan to 135-4.
Tayyab Tahir offered some resistance alongside Rizwan, who scored 37 before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy, with the total at 169-5.
Soon after, Faheem Ashraf was removed by Michael Bracewell for just 3 runs.
Pakistan’s lower order crumbled as they were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs. Naseem Shah chipped in with a quick 17, but Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Wasim Jr. failed to contribute.
Ben Sears shone with the ball, picking up his second five-wicket haul of the series. Duffy grabbed two wickets, while Bracewell, Abbas, and Daryl Mitchell each claimed one.
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings began shakily as Nick Kelly was dismissed by Naseem Shah in the third over.
Rhys Mariu anchored the innings with a solid 58 off 61 balls, laced with six boundaries and two sixes, before falling lbw to Sufiyan Muqeem.
Henry Nicholls added 31 before falling to Akif Javed, with New Zealand at 91-2 in the 18th over. Daryl Mitchell (43) and Tim Seifert (26) combined for a 61-run fourth-wicket stand before Seifert was removed by Naseem.
Mitchell was later dismissed by Akif, while Faheem Ashraf took out Mitchell Hay for 8, leaving New Zealand at 244-7.
Skipper Michael Bracewell played a crucial late hand, finishing unbeaten on 59 off 40 deliveries, with Ben Sears (5*) alongside him, taking New Zealand to 264-8.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Akif Javed.
New Zealand: Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Rhys Mariu, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (c), Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (wk), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke.
