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New Zealand wrapped up their successful series against Pakistan with a comprehensive 43-run victory in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at Mount Maunganui. This win saw the hosts complete a clean sweep of the series, 3-0, following a dominant performance in all three matches.
The final match, reduced to 42 overs per side due to a delayed start, mirrored the pattern set by the previous two games, where New Zealand’s all-around strength left Pakistan struggling. The win followed New Zealand’s earlier triumph in the T20 series, where they had beaten Pakistan 4-1, showcasing a remarkable consistency throughout the tour.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Exposed Again
Pakistan’s brittle batting was again exposed in the final ODI, as they were dismissed for just 221 in 40 overs, chasing down New Zealand’s total of 264-8. Despite a couple of decent individual performances, the tourists once again failed to build partnerships or adjust to the consistent bounce and movement of New Zealand’s seam attack.
Aggressive pacer Ben Sears played a crucial role in dismantling Pakistan’s batting, claiming 5 wickets for just 34 runs. His performance mirrored his efforts in the previous ODI in Hamilton, where he also claimed five wickets. Sears utilized short-pitched deliveries to great effect, with four of his wickets coming from deliveries that forced Pakistan’s batsmen into errors. His fiery pace and accuracy were too much for the visitors to handle, adding to their misery throughout the series.
Fellow seamer Jacob Duffy also made significant contributions, picking up 2 wickets for 40 runs, including the important scalp of Mohammad Rizwan for 37 in the 33rd over. Rizwan’s dismissal effectively sealed Pakistan’s fate, leaving them with little hope of chasing down the target.
Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique Show Grit
While New Zealand’s bowlers dominated, Pakistan did see some individual resilience in their batting. Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain, was the highest scorer for his team, managing 50 runs off 58 balls. However, his innings was far from enough to keep Pakistan in contention for the win. Similarly, opener Abdullah Shafique fought hard for his 33 runs from 56 balls, but his innings was sluggish, and he was unable to accelerate the chase as required.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Imam-ul-Haq, who was initially expected to be a solid opener, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the jaw by a fielder’s throw while attempting a quick single. The early injury to Imam further dampened Pakistan’s prospects, and they were left chasing a daunting total with a weakened lineup.
New Zealand’s Solid Batting Performance
Earlier in the match, New Zealand’s batting was anchored by Rhys Mariu, who scored a well-compiled half-century. Mariu, playing only his second international match, displayed composure and confidence, scoring 58 runs off 61 balls. His knock featured six boundaries and two sixes, providing the foundation for New Zealand’s total.
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Although several middle-order batsmen got starts, they failed to convert their innings into big scores. However, captain Michael Bracewell provided the finishing touch with a scintillating knock of 59 runs off just 40 balls. Bracewell struck an impressive six sixes in his explosive innings, which helped New Zealand finish on a high. His efforts in the death overs pushed New Zealand’s total to a challenging 264-8.
Pakistan’s Bowling: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the Loss
Despite the heavy defeat, Pakistan’s bowling attack showed some positive signs, with Naseem Shah standing out with the ball. Naseem, who has been one of the brightest young pacers in world cricket, took 2 wickets for 54 runs, bowling with good pace and movement. His efforts were among the few bright spots in what was otherwise a disappointing outing for the Pakistan team.
Seamer Akif Javed also contributed with the ball, picking up 4 wickets for 62 runs, though his efforts weren’t enough to make an impact on the overall outcome. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to maintain control, and while they fought hard, they couldn’t stop New Zealand from amassing a significant total.
A Series to Forget for Pakistan
This ODI series served as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s ongoing issues with their batting line-up, particularly against quality pace attacks like those of New Zealand. Throughout the series, Pakistan’s batsmen struggled to cope with the challenging conditions and the consistent movement generated by the Kiwi seamers. The rash shot selections, coupled with a lack of partnerships, proved costly for Pakistan in all three ODIs.
While individual performances such as Babar Azam’s 50 in the final match and Rizwan’s contributions in the earlier games were commendable, they were isolated efforts that did not provide the team with the required stability to challenge New Zealand.
