In a dominant display, New Zealand completed a whitewash of Pakistan in the final ODI, defeating them comfortably. Pakistan, chasing a challenging total, was dismissed for 221 runs in 40 overs.
New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, who scored 59 off 40 balls and took 1/39 with the ball, was name Player of the Match while Kiwi fast bowler Ben Sears was awarded Player of the Series for his outstanding performance, claiming 10 wickets.
Key contributions from Pakistan’s batting line-up came from Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique. Babar Azam top-scored with 50 runs off 58 balls, including four boundaries and one six. Shafique added 33 runs off 56 balls, with three boundaries, but Pakistan’s batting faltered under pressure.
Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan captain, scored 37 off 32 balls, with two fours and one six, but his efforts were not enough to turn the tide. Salman Agha contributed 11 runs off 11 balls, while Tayyab Tahir managed 33 off 31 balls, which included two fours and one six.
Faheem Ashraf was dismissed for 3 off 4 balls, at a strike rate of 75.00. Naseem Shah contributed 17 off 13 balls, including 1 four and 1 six, at a strike rate of 130.76.
Mohammad Wasim was dismissed for a duck, scoring 0 off 1 ball.
Mohammad Wasim’s efforts ended quickly as he was dismissed for a duck off one ball.
The New Zealand bowlers, particularly Matt Sears and Duffy, were in excellent form. Sears claimed four wickets for 42 runs, while Duffy picked up three wickets for 37. Mitchell and Bracewell also contributed with wickets, helping New Zealand wrap up Pakistan’s innings.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 264 for 8 in a rain-affected encounter against Pakistan at Bay Oval on Saturday, with captain Michael Bracewell leading the charge with a blistering half-century.
The match was reduced to 42 overs per side due to persistent overnight rain, which delayed the start and left the outfield damp.
New Zealand had a shaky start after being put in to bat, losing opener Nick Kelly early to Naseem Shah in the third over. Rhys Mariu steadied the innings with a composed knock, forming a vital 78-run partnership with Henry Nicholls for the second wicket.
Mariu reached a well-made 58 off 61 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes, before falling to young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
Nicholls contributed a solid 31, but New Zealand found themselves at 91-2 by the 18th over. Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert then added 61 runs for the fourth wicket, with Seifert making 26 before being dismissed by Naseem Shah.
Bracewell played a captain’s innings, scoring an aggressive 59 not out from just 40 balls, including one four and six sixes.
He was supported by Ben Sears, who remained unbeaten on 5, as New Zealand finished on 264/8. Pakistan’s Akif Javed was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets, while Naseem Shah took two and Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf claimed one each.
In the playing XI, Pakistan earlier made one change, bringing in Naseem Shah in place of Haris Rauf. With New Zealand leading the series 2-0, Pakistan needs to win this match to avoid a series whitewash.
