New Zealand outperformed Pakistan by 43 runs in the third ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday, completing a commanding 3-0 series sweep.
Chasing a target of 265, Pakistan encountered an early blow when Imam-ul-Haq was injured on the right jaw while running between the wickets, forcing him to retire and be replaced by Usman Khan.
Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam stabilized the innings with a 68-run partnership, relieving some pressure. However, the partnership ended when Shafique was caught by Ben Sears for 33, leaving Pakistan at 73-1 in 16.2 overs.
Usman Khan’s tenure was short-lived as he was dismissed for 12 by Muhammad Abbas. Babar Azam continued to shine, reaching a vital half-century with four boundaries and one six. His innings concluded when Mitchell Santner claimed his wicket, leaving Pakistan at 108-3 in 23.4 overs.
Agha Salman and captain Mohammad Rizwan added 27 runs, but their partnership was cut short when Agha was dismissed for 11 by Ben Sears, making it 135-3 in 26.4 overs.
Tayyab Tahir joined Rizwan and contributed crucial runs, but Rizwan was dismissed for 37 by Jacob Duffy, leaving Pakistan at 169-5. In the following over, Faheem Ashraf fell for just three runs, dismissed by captain Michael Bracewell.
Pakistan’s resistance crumbled as they were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs. Naseem Shah contributed 17 runs in a late cameo, but Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Wasim Jr. were dismissed cheaply.
Ben Sears was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets for the second time in the series. Jacob Duffy took two wickets, while Michael Bracewell, Muhammad Abbas, and Daryl Mitchell each claimed one.
Batting first, New Zealand had a shaky start, losing Nick Kelly to Naseem Shah in the third over. Rhys Mariu steadied the innings with 58 runs off 61 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes, before being trapped LBW by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Henry Nicholls contributed 31 runs off 40 balls before falling to Akif Javed, leaving New Zealand at 91-2 in the 18th over. Daryl Mitchell (43) and Tim Seifert (26) added 61 runs for the fourth wicket before Seifert was dismissed by Naseem Shah.
Mitchell was removed by Akif Javed, and Faheem Ashraf dismissed Mitchell Hay for 8, leaving New Zealand at 244-7 in the 41st over. Bracewell played a crucial unbeaten knock of 59 off 40 balls, supported by Ben Sears (5*), as New Zealand finished with 264-8.
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