New Zealand complete whitewash over Pakistan after victory in third ODI

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: A disciplined all-round performance from New Zealand helped them seal a 43-run win over Pakistan in the third ODI here at Bay Oval on Saturday, completing a clean sweep in the three-match series.

The game was shortened to 42 overs per side following a weather delay and damp pitch conditions.

Pakistan, while chasing a target of 265, were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs, falling well short once again in what has been a disappointing series for the visitors.

Things took an unfortunate turn early in the chase when Imam-ul-Haq copped a blow to the jaw while running between the wickets, forcing him to retire hurt. Usman Khan replaced him as a concussion substitute.

Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique briefly steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership, but just as Pakistan looked to be settling, Ben Sears removed Abdullah for 33 to trigger a mini-collapse.

Usman’s arrival to the middle was short-lived as he fell for 12 to Muhammad Abbas.

Babar, who was looking fluent, tried to up the ante after Usman’s dismissal but miscued a lofted shot off part-timer Daryl Mitchell to deep mid-wicket.

His 50 off 58 balls, including four boundaries and a six, ended at a time when Pakistan needed him to anchor the innings.

Salman Ali Agha followed soon after, dismissed by Sears for 11, leaving Pakistan in a tricky spot.

Mohammad Rizwan and Tayyab Tahir tried to wrestle back some momentum, putting on a 34-run stand, but Jacob Duffy sent Rizwan packing for 37 to open the floodgates.

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Tayyab, who fought hard with a 33-run knock, was eventually dismissed by Duffy too, and with wickets tumbling at the other end, Pakistan’s lower order crumbled.

Sufiyan Muqeem was the last man out as the innings folded for 221.

Ben Sears was once again the tormentor-in-chief, picking up his second five-wicket haul of the series. Duffy chipped in with two wickets, while Bracewell, Abbas, and Mitchell picked up one apiece.

Earlier, New Zealand were powered by half-centuries from captain Michael Bracewell and youngster Rhys Mariu, posting 264/8 in their 42 overs.

Pakistan got an early breakthrough when Naseem Shah dismissed New Zealand opener Nick Kelly in the third over.

Mariu, however, showed great maturity, anchoring the innings with a composed 58 off 61 balls, supported by Henry Nicholls (31), as the pair added 78 for the second wicket.

Mariu fell LBW to Sufiyan Muqeem, while Akif Javed made crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, removing both Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell (43).

Despite a flurry of wickets, Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 59 off 40 balls—punctuated by one four and six sixes—provided New Zealand the perfect finish.

Akif was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, finishing with 4/51. Naseem Shah grabbed two wickets, while Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf picked one each.

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