New Zealand decimate Pakistan in final ODI to sweep three-match series

Ben Sears was the star for New Zealand, scalping five Pakistani batters and ending with 5-34, the same as his five-wicket haul in the previous ODI match.

The match, reduced to 42 overs per side due to a wet outfield, saw Pakistan all out for 221 chasing New Zealand's 264-8.

New Zealand’s Rhys Mariu scored a maiden half-century (58 off 61 balls) after the team was put in to bat by Pakistani skipper Mohammad Rizwan. The Kiwi team lost opener Nick Kelly early, but Mariu reached his half-century with ease.

Mitchell fell shortly before reaching fifty, and Muhammad Abbas made a small contribution before Home team captain Michael Bracewell's late hitting. Bracewell added a quickfire 59 off 40 balls, including six sixes.

For Pakistan, Akif Javed took 4-62 and Naseem Shah claimed 2-54.

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Pakistan batting woes

Pakistan's chase was hampered by the early retirement of Imam-ul-Haq, who was struck on the jaw by a fielder's throw. Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 50, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against Sears and Jacob Duffy (2-40).
The first wicket fell with 73 runs on the board. Lahore-born Kiwi spinner Mohammad Abbas dismissed Usman Khan, bringing together Babar Azam and Salman Agha. Azam reached fifty but was then dismissed, followed shortly by Agha. Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal for 37 by Jacob Duffy effectively ended Pakistan's hopes..

Sears took two wickets in two balls and almost claimed a hat-trick. Duffy had Tayyab Tahir caught behind, and Sears took the final wicket. A brief interruption occurred when the floodlights were cut during Duffy's bowling, but play resumed without incident.

A bizarre moment occurred in the 37th over with Duffy bowling to Tayyab Tahir, as when he released his