The frail batting of Pakistan was once more highlighted as a Ben Sears-inspired New Zealand won the third and last one-day international by 43 runs on Saturday to sweep the series 3-0.
Responding to New Zealand’s 264-8, the tourists were bowled for 221 from 40 overs in a match cut short by a delayed start at Mount Maunganui.
It matched the first two games, with the hosts defeating Napier by 73 runs in the opener and then winning Hamilton by 84-run margin. Having won 4-1, New Zealand also dominated the last T20 series.
Pakistan battled all through the tour to adapt to the constant bounce and movement of New Zealand’s seam assault and their batters were once more guilty of wild smashes at Bay Oval.
With four of his victims falling to short-pitched delivery, aggressive pace bowler Sears claimed 5-34 to follow his five-wicket bag in Hamilton.
A handful in both series, fellow seamer Jacob Duffy took 2-40, notably the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan for 37 in the 33rd over and thereby extinguish the tourists’ prospects of success.
With 50 off 58 balls, Babar Azam top-scored; starter Abdullah Shafique ground out a slow 33 off 56. Beginning poorly, Pakistan’s innings saw opener Imam-ul-Haq forced to retire hurt for one after being struck on the jaw by a fielder’s throw trying a rapid single.
Rhys Mariu earlier struck a maiden half-century after New Zealand was asked to bat first; the start of the game was delayed two hours due to a damp outfield. Playing just his second international game, Opener Mariu produced a calm 58 off 61 balls, combining two sixes and six fours.
Many middle-order New Zealand batsmen started but did not carry on for significant scores until captain Michael Bracewell delivered a stunning 59 at the death. Before being caught off the penultimate ball of the innings thrown by Akif Javed, Bracewell knocked six sixes in his 40-ball strike.
Although Naseem Shah was undoubtedly the finest of the Pakistan bowlers, Seamer Javed took 4-62 off his eight overs using good pace and movement.
