Pakistan register first ODI series win over New Zealand in 12 years

An overall bowling performance by Pakistan helped them bowl out New Zealand for 261 and win the third ODI by 26 runs in Karachi on Wednesday. 

Set to chase 288 runs, New Zealand kept losing wickets after regular intervals. Openers Tom Blundell and Will Young provided good start to them but their departure was followed by couple of quick wickets. 

Blundell scored highest 65 runs for New Zealand. Skipper Tom Latham made 45 runs whereas Cole McConchie resisted a bit in the end but couldn't take New Zealand over the victory line. He scored 63 not out including six boundaries and two maximums. 

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Naseem Shah bagged two wickets each. Agha Salman bagged one wicket. 

Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq led Pakistan from the front amid controlled bowling by New Zealand to restrict the home side to 287-6 in the third ODI in Karachi on Wednesday. 

Fakhar Zaman, who scored two consecutive centuries in first two ODIs of this series, departed earlier. The left-handed batter didn't find rhythm in today's contest and had to leave after giving away his wicket to Matt Henry. 

Imam continued his form from previous two matches and built momentum alongside skipper Babar Azam. The two batters shared the crease for an eye-catching partnership of 108 runs. Meanwhile, Babar completed his 26th fifty but couldn't get to his 5000 ODI runs. He is just 19 runs short to this milestone. 

On the other hand, Imam was looking good to finally score a century in this series. But, he once again fell on nervous 90. His innings included seven boundaries and a six. 

Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, in the end, tried to score some runs for Pakistan. They both scored 54 runs together. 

Shadab Khan (21*) and Mohammad Nawaz (11*) played cameos in the end to help Pakistan put up a defendable total. 

For New Zealand, Henry picked up three wickets while Adam Milne bagged two scalps. Cole McConchie also managed to take a wicket. 

TOSS

New Zealand have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the third match of the ongoing ODI series in Karachi on Wednesday. 

This is a must-win match for the visitors as they are 2-0 down in the series. 

Haris Rauf, Ihsanullah and Usama Mir are replaced by Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan in the Pakistan XI.

If the Green Shirts win the ongoing ODI series, it will be their first against the Black Caps since 2011.

Earlier, the Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.

Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zealand adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.

Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.

But New Zealand boast recent dominance over Pakistan. Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.

The ODI matches in Karachi are on May 3, 5 and 7.

The tour comes as something of compensation for New Zealand pulling out of their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, citing security concerns.

The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.

Lineups

New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Blundell (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah

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