Key points
- Rhys Mariu scored a maiden half-century
- Captain Michael Bracewell also surpassed 50
- Seamer Akif Javed took 4-62 off his 8 overs
MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand: Pakistan’s brittle batting was exposed again as a Ben Sears-inspired New Zealand won the third and final one-day international by 43 runs Saturday to sweep the series 3-0.
Rhys Mariu scored a maiden half-century as New Zealand posted 264-8 off 42 overs Saturday in the rain-shortened third one-day international against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui.
Captain Michael Bracewell also surpassed 50 as the home side set a competitive total in their bid to sweep the three-match series, according to AFP.
The contest was reduced to 42 overs each after a wet outfield at Bay Oval delayed the start of play by nearly two hours.
Opener Mariu, playing just his second international match, scored a composed 58 off 61 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
A number of New Zealand middle-order batsmen made starts but didn’t press on for big scores until Bracewell produced a flashy 59 at the death.
The skipper struck six sixes in his 40-ball knock before being caught off the last ball of the innings bowled by Akif Javed.
Unsuccessful New Zealand tour
Seamer Javed took 4-62 off his eight overs although Naseem Shah was arguably the best of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 2-54 and bowling with good pace and movement.
Pakistan will attempt to salvage some pride with the bat in the final match of an unsuccessful tour.
They lost the first ODI in Napier by 73 runs and the second in Hamilton by 84 runs, having been defeated 4-1 in the T20 series.
Pakistan won the toss and, for the third game in succession, opted to bowl first. The toss was delayed by an hour and twenty minutes owing to heavy overnight rain in Mount Maunganui, which resulted in a wet outfield. As a result, the game has been reduced to 42 overs a side, according to Cricinfo.
