New Zealand completes 3-0 whitewash with victory in rain-shortened final ODI against Pakistan

New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the final ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday, completing a 3-0 whitewash in the series. The match, which was reduced to 42 overs per side due to persistent overnight rain, saw New Zealand post a total of 264/8.

Chasing a target of 265, Pakistan’s chase got off to a difficult start when Imam-ul-Haq was struck on the right jaw while running between the wickets. The injury forced him to retire from the match, with Usman Khan coming in as his replacement.

Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership, easing some of the pressure. However, Shafique’s knock ended at 33 when he was caught by Ben Sears, leaving Pakistan at 73/1 in the 17th over.

Usman Khan’s time at the crease was short-lived as he was dismissed for 12 by Muhammad Abbas. Meanwhile, Babar Azam continued to look solid, reaching an important half-century that included four boundaries and a six. However, his innings ended when Daryl Mitchell struck, dismissing him at 108/3 in the 24th over.

Agha Salman and captain Mohammad Rizwan added 27 runs to the score before Ben Sears removed Agha for 11, leaving Pakistan at 135/4 in the 27th over.

Tayyab Tahir joined Rizwan and managed to contribute valuable runs to the chase, but Pakistan soon lost their captain, who was dismissed for 37 by Jacob Duffy, leaving them at 169/5.

In the following over, Faheem Ashraf fell for just three runs, dismissed by captain Michael Bracewell. Pakistan's resistance crumbled as they were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs. Naseem Shah provided a late cameo with 17 runs, but Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Wasim Jr. were dismissed cheaply.

Ben Sears was the standout bowler, claiming his second five-wicket haul of the series. Jacob Duffy also contributed with two wickets, while Michael Bracewell, Muhammad Abbas, and Daryl Mitchell each took one wicket.

Batting first, New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell and Rhys Mariu played key roles in New Zealand’s total, both scoring half-centuries to lead the charge. After a delayed start due to rain, New Zealand was asked to bat first and had a rocky beginning, losing opener Nick Kelly in the third over to Naseem Shah.

Mariu steadied the ship for New Zealand, anchoring the innings with a composed 58 runs off 61 balls. He was well supported by Henry Nicholls, with the two adding 78 runs for the second wicket. Mariu's half-century came in style, with six boundaries and two sixes, before he was dismissed LBW by Sufiyan Muqeem.

Nicholls contributed a solid 31 off 40 balls before falling to Akif Javed, leaving New Zealand at 91/2 in the 18th over. Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert then added 61 runs for the fourth wicket, taking New Zealand to 164/4 in the 32nd over.

Seifert made 26 before being dismissed by Naseem Shah, and Mitchell was dismissed for 43 by Akif Javed. Javed struck again to remove Muhammad Abbas for 11, leaving New Zealand at 244/7 in the 41st over.

Bracewell, who played a captain's knock, remained unbeaten on 59 runs from just 40 balls, hitting one four and six sixes. He was well supported by Ben Sears, who was not out on 5 as New Zealand finished with 264/8.

For Pakistan, Akif Javed was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets. Naseem Shah claimed two wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf each took one.

With this victory, New Zealand completed a dominant 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series.