MOUNT MAUNGANUI: The Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI series ended in disappointment for the visitors as New Zealand sealed a clean 3-0 sweep. Pakistan crumbled once again, losing the third and final one-day international by 43 runs on Saturday.
Chasing 265 in a match reduced to 42 overs due to a wet outfield, Pakistan were bowled out for just 221 in 40 overs. The collapse followed the same pattern as the previous games. New Zealand had already won the opening ODI in Napier by 73 runs and the second in Hamilton by 84 runs.
The Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI series was dominated by the hosts from start to finish. They also claimed a 4-1 victory in the earlier T20 series.
Pakistan’s batting lineup failed to handle the bounce and seam movement throughout the tour. At Bay Oval, their batters fell to poor shot selection once again. Ben Sears led the New Zealand attack with another brilliant display of fast bowling. He picked up 5 for 34, adding to his five-wicket haul in Hamilton. Four of his wickets came from well-directed short balls.
Jacob Duffy also proved effective. He removed Mohammad Rizwan for 37 in the 33rd over, which marked the end of Pakistan’s slim hopes. Duffy finished with 2 for 40.
Captain Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with a steady 50 from 58 balls. Abdullah Shafique struggled to find rhythm and scored a slow 33 off 56 balls. Their innings suffered an early blow when Imam-ul-Haq had to retire hurt after getting hit on the jaw by a throw while taking a single. He was on just one run.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 264 for 8 after being asked to bat first. The match started late due to a soggy outfield. Rhys Mariu impressed in only his second international match. The opener scored his maiden fifty, making 58 off 61 balls with six fours and two sixes.
New Zealand’s middle order chipped in, but none converted their starts into big innings until Michael Bracewell exploded at the end. The skipper smashed 59 from 40 balls, including six towering sixes. He was caught off the final delivery of the innings, bowled by Akif Javed.
Javed was the most successful Pakistani bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 62 in his eight overs. Naseem Shah bowled with good rhythm and control. He took 2 for 54 and was perhaps Pakistan’s best bowler across the Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI series.
With this defeat, Pakistan ended their New Zealand tour with another ODI whitewash, highlighting the serious issues in the team’s approach and consistency.
