Pakistan secured a hard-fought 26-run victory over New Zealand in the third one-day international (ODI) in Karachi on Wednesday to claim their first ODI series win over the Kiwis in 12 years.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq (90) and captain Babar Azam (54) provided a solid start and contributed to the team’s total of 287 runs in their 50 overs, with Azam hitting his 26th ODI half-century.
New Zealand started well in their chase with openers Tom Blundell (65) and Will Young (33) giving them a confident opening stand of 83 runs in 15.3 overs. However, Pakistan finally broke through with Young’s run out before Mohammad Wasim dismissed Daryl Mitchell (21) and Blundell to put Pakistan back in the game.
Despite half-centuries from Tom Blundell and debutant Cole McConchie, who hit an impressive 64 runs off 45 balls, New Zealand were bowled out for 261 in 49.1 overs. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim and Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets each for Pakistan.
Pakistan had won the first two matches of the five-match series by five and seven wickets respectively in Rawalpindi, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. The last two matches will also be played in Karachi on Friday and Sunday. The win also marks Pakistan’s first ODI series win over New Zealand since 2011, having lost six of the seven series played since then.
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