New Zealand Clinch Series Against Pakistan beat by 84 runs in Hamilton to clinch the series and set their sights on a possible whitewash in the final ODI. The Kiwis dominated at Seddon Park, with young pacer Ben Sears emerging as the star of the match. Playing in his third ODI, Sears produced a match-winning performance, taking five wickets and finishing with figures of 5 for 59. After going wicketless in his first two games, Sears stepped up in impressive fashion, tearing apart Pakistan’s batting line-up and guiding New Zealand to a convincing victory.
Pakistan’s struggle in chase
Chasing a target of 293, Pakistan’s innings got off to a nightmare start. Will O’Rourke struck early, dismissing Abdullah Shafiq for just 1. Jacob Duffy followed up shortly after by dismissing Babar Azam for 1 and Imam-ul-Haq, leaving Pakistan struggling at 9 for 3 in 5.3 overs. The pressure mounted when Salman Agha fell for 9, making 31 for 4 in 11.1 overs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan tried to consolidate the innings but could only manage 5 runs off 27 balls before being dismissed, deepening Pakistan’s woes.
Despite the early collapse, Pakistan found some resistance through Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah. The two put on a strong 60-run partnership to keep hopes alive. Ashraf played an attacking innings of 73 off 80 balls, while Naseem played a brilliant innings of 51 off 44 balls. Along with Sears’ brilliant performance, Duffy took 3 for 35, while O’Rourke and Nathan Smith took one wicket each, dismissing Pakistan and winning the series.
New Zealand’s strong batting performance
Earlier in the day, New Zealand had posted 292 for 8 after coming out to bat. Openers Rhys Mario and Nick Kelly provided a solid start, scoring 18 and 31 respectively. Kelly fell with a score of 54 for 1 in 6.2 overs, and the Kiwis reached 100 in 15.3 overs before losing Daryl Mitchell for 18 runs. Henry Nicholls scored 22 runs before he was dismissed, taking New Zealand to 102 for 4 in 16.5 overs. Captain Michael Bracewell added 17 runs but was dismissed by Mohammad Wasim, leaving the hosts in a precarious position at 132 for 5.
Mitchell Hay then took charge with a game-changing performance. The wicketkeeper-batsman played a sensational innings, scoring 99 not out off 78 balls. His explosive innings included seven fours and seven sixes, helping New Zealand reach a mammoth total. Hay’s crucial 77-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who scored 41, further solidified the team’s position. For Pakistan, Sufyan Muqeem took 2 for 33 and Mohammad Wasim took 2 for 78, but their efforts could not stop the Kiwis from setting a tough target.
New Zealand are aiming for a clean sweep in the series.
With the series now secured, New Zealand head to Mount Maunganui for the final ODI, looking to complete a 3-0 clean sweep against Pakistan. Their clinical performance in Hamilton showcased their depth and dominance, making them clear favourites for the final encounter. If the Kiwis maintain their momentum, a whitewash could be on the horizon.
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