Mount Maunganui: New Zealand completed a commanding 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan with a 43-run victory in the third and final ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday.
The match, reduced to 42 overs per side due to a delayed start caused by a wet outfield, saw Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bowl first. New Zealand posted a competitive 264 for 8, powered by explosive half-centuries from skipper Michael Bracewell (59 off 40 balls, 1 four, 6 sixes) and young talent Rhys Mariu (58 off 61, 6 fours, 2 sixes). Daryl Mitchell chipped in with a solid 43 from 53 deliveries.
Pakistan’s Akif Javed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 for 62 in his eight overs, while Naseem Shah added two wickets to his tally.
In reply, Pakistan faltered in their chase and were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs. Captain Babar Azam fought valiantly with a half-century (50 off 58 balls, 4 fours, 1 six), but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup.
New Zealand pacer Ben Sears starred with the ball, ripping through Pakistan’s batting order with an impressive 5 for 34 in his nine overs, sealing a convincing win for the Black Caps.
With this victory, New Zealand capped off a dominant series performance, taking the ODI series 3-0 in style.
Scores in brief:
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 43 runs
New Zealand 264-8, 42 overs (Michael Bracewell 59, Rhys Mariu 58, Daryl Mitchell 43, Henry Nicholls 31, Tim Seifert 26; Akif Javed 4-62, Naseem Shah 2-54)
Pakistan 221 all out, 40 overs (Babar Azam 50, Mohammad Rizwan 37, Tayyab Tahir 33, Abdullah Shafique 33; Ben Sears 5-34, Jacob Duffy 2-40)
Player of the match – Michael Bracewell
