New Zealand complete whitewash of Pakistan as Sears takes five again

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand won the final ODI of the three-match series, completing their white wash of Pakistan behind another excellent bowling performance from Ben Sears.

Sears magnificent performance was his second five wicket haul in the last two games, leading New Zealand to an emphatic whitewash of Pakistan.

Pakistan won the toss after a delay due to moist pitch conditions, which also reduced the contest to 42 overs, and chose to bowl first.

New Zealand’s Innings

Naseem Shah got off to a good start, taking his first wicket in the third over as Nick Kelly was caught out by Abdullah Shafique near short midwicket. However, Kiwi opener Rhys Mariu and Henry Nicholls found their stride soon after, putting on a 78-run partnership that ended when the later was caught out by Mohammad Wasim on a delivery from Akif Javed in the eighteenth over. Nicholls made 31 runs off 40 deliveries.

Mariu was sent off himself a few overs later via lbw on a delivery from Sufiyan Muqeem, but not before he was made his maiden ODI half century. He made a total of 58 runs off 61 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes along the way.

New Zealand had another great partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert, who together added 61 runs off 65 balls. Seifert was sent off in the 32nd over, as he was caught out by Tayyab Tahir at deep midwicket, giving Naseem Shah his second dismissal of the game. He made 26 off 29.

Mitchell left the field a few overs later after being caught behind on a delivery from Javed, falling seven runs short of a half century of his own. Only one other Kiwi had a notable batting performance, and that was skipper Michael Bracewell, who made 59 runs off 40 deliveries, hitting one four and six sixes in the process.

Bracewell continued to add runs on the board as his teammates fell around him. Muhammad Abbas was caught behind in the 28th over, giving Javed his third wicket, and Mitchell Hay was caught out by Babar Azam in the 41st, giving Faheem Ashraf his first and only dismissal.

Javed would also dismiss Bracewell on a delivery that was eventually caught by Naseem Shah at third man, completing a four-wicket haul.

New Zealand scored 264 runs in 42 overs, losing eight wickets on the way.

Also read: New Zealand thrash Pakistan in second ODI to win series as Sears takes 5

Pakistan’s Innings

The men in green got off to a bad start, as Imam-ul-Haq retired hurt in the third over after the throw at the non-strikers end hit him square in the jaw, lodging the ball in his helmet grill.

Following the unfortunate start, Babar and Shafique put some runs on the board, as they made a partnership of 68 off 83. However, Shafique was caught out in the 17th over by Jacob Duffy, beginning another incredible bowling performance from Ben Sears.

Usman Khan would take the field, but wouldn’t stay long, making 12 runs off 17 deliveries before a stunning diving catch from Bracewell sent the Pakistani batter back to the pavilion in the 22nd, and gave Abbas his first and only wicket.

Babar was caught out by Seifert at deep mid-wicket a couple overs later, giving Mitchell his only wicket of the game. However, Babar did manage to make a half century off 58 deliveries, the 37th of his ODI career.

Pakistan weren’t able to find their stride again, the only other notable batting performances coming from skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who made 37 runs off 32 deliveries, and Tayyab Tahir, who made 33 off 31. Both were dismissed by Duffy, with Rizwan being caught behind, and Tahir being caught out by Seifert at deep point.

Sears ended the game with four wickets. After taking the first wicket of the match, he dismissed Salman Agha who top edged it to Duffy at deep fine leg in the 27th. The 27-year-old bowler then took two wickets on consecutive deliveries in the 38th. He sent off Naseem first, as the ball hit the glove on its way to Hay. Wasim was dismissed on the next ball, as he edged it to O’Rourke at fly slip. Sears fifth and final wicket was the dismissal of Sifuyan Muqeem who was caught out by Abbas at mid-off, ending the match in the 40th over.

Sears magnificent bowling performance led New Zealand to an emphatic white wash of Pakistan. The Kiwis won by 43 runs.

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