KARACHI: Pakistan has finally registered their first ODI series victory over New Zealand in 12 years with a 26-run win in the 3rd match in Karachi.
New Zealand’s opener Tom Blundell hit a 78-ball 65 while Cole McConchie struck an undefeated 45-ball 64 but they were bowled out for 261 in 49.1 overs.
The bails go flying as @Wasim_Jnr makes a mess of the stumps! 🔥#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/KedCxXHx9D
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 3, 2023
Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq made a 107-ball 90 while Babar Azam scored a 62-ball 54 for his 26th ODI fifty to guide the green shirts to 287-6 in their innings.
Pakistan won the first two matches by 5 and 7 wickets, respectively, in Rawalpindi, took an unquestionable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series against New Zealand. The last two matches will also be played in Karachi.
Imam-ul-Haq's press conference following the third ODI in Karachi.#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak https://t.co/2EUldjZ2VA
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 3, 2023
Pakistan’s last one day international series win over New Zealand was in 2011 and since then the green shirts had lost 6 of the 7 series, with one drawn.
The visitors threatened to run away with a victory as Blundell and Will Young gave them a confident opening stand of 83 runs.
The host finally broke through with Young’s run out, before M Wasim dismissed Mitchell for 21 — the man who had made successive hundreds in the last two games.
Tom Latham made 45 runs, and Mark Chapman 13 added 40 runs for the 4th wicket, but Naseem Shah bowled Mark Chapman with a beautiful delivery. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah took two wickets for the host team Pakistan.
Earlier, the visitors started well by getting opener Fakhar Zaman caught off Matt for 19 runs.
Babar Azam hit three boundaries and a six before he was dismissed. Imam ul Haq was bowled by Adam Milne in the 38th over of the match.
Updates of 3rd ODI
Pakistan: 287-6 in 50 overs
Imam-ul-Haq: 90
Babar Azam: 54
New Zealand: 261 (49.1 overs)
T. Blundell: 65
C. McConchie: 64
T. Latham :45
