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PAK vs NZ Highlights: Bracewell’s Blitz And Sears’ Searing Fifer Hand Pakistan 3-0 Whitewash

Jatin

NZ whitewashed PAK 3-0 [Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com]NZ whitewashed PAK 3-0 [Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com]

New Zealand’s second-string side handed a full-strength Pakistan team a humiliating whitewash and the three-match ODI series 3-0 with a 43-run win at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Saturday. In a rain-shortened 42-over game, the hosts posted a competitive 264/8 before bowling out Pakistan for 221 in 40 overs, completing a dominant clean sweep.

Here's the timeline of how NZ vs PAK 3rd ODU panned out in Mount Maunganui.

Naseem Strikes Early But Mariu And Nicholls Dig In

On a bowler-friendly deck, Pakistan made the obvious call to bowl first and Naseem Shah struck gold in the third over as he sent Nick Kelly packing for 3. But the early joy didn’t last. Rhys Mariu and Henry Nicholls steadied the Kiwi ship and stitched 78-run stand.

Akif Javed finally broke the partnership in the 18th over by dismissing Nicholls. Mariu, though, stood tall and notched up his maiden international fifty. But just as he looked set for more, Sufiyan Muqeem trapped him in front of the wicket for 58.


Mitchell and Seifert Build But Pakistan Keep Nipping Away

Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert started knocking the ball around. Seifert showed early intent, but Muqeem kept him quiet while Mitchell scratched around for rhythm.

The pair added 50 but Naseem removed Seifert with a well-directed short ball for 26. Then Akif returned to get Mitchell caught behind for 43. At 186/5 in the 35th over, Pakistan were back in control with the seamers bowling tight and smart.


Bracewell Counterpunches As Pakistan Slip Late

Just when Pakistan looked set to wrap things up, captain Michael Bracewell changed the game. He cashed in on some wayward death bowling and a sloppy over-rate penalty forced a fielder inside the circle in the final overs.

Bracewell brought up a blazing fifty off 36 balls with a six then got a lifeline as Tahir dropped him and he made it count with another maximum. He finally fell for 59 off 40, caught at short third by Naseem, but the damage was done.

New Zealand finished at 264/8 in 42 overs, thanks to an explosive finish and some sloppy bowling under pressure from Pakistan.


Babar And Rizwan Stand Tall But Wickets Fall Around Them

Chasing 265, Pakistan got off to a dismal start as Imam-ul-Haq walked off retired hurt after facing just seven balls as he he got hit by a throw.


That early hiccup didn’t help and while Abdullah Shafique tried to grind it out, his innings never really got out of first gear. He fell for 33 off 56 with the run rate crawling and pressure mounting.

Enter Babar Azam, who looked in fine touch. He kept the scoreboard ticking with classy strokes and stitched a mini-rebuild with Usman Khan, who couldn’t cash in and fell for a scratchy 12. Rizwan brought some urgency into the chase as he hit 37 off 32. But just when it looked like Pakistan had weathered the storm, Babar fell for 50 and the wheels slowly started to come off.



Middle Order Fails to Fire as Sears Cleans Up

With the match hanging in the balance, Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir were expected to build on the platform but it didn’t quite go to plan. Salman managed 11 before falling to Ben Sears and Faheem Ashraf didn’t trouble the scorers much either.

Tayyab Tahir showed some fight, scoring 33 off 31 but once he perished in the 39th over, the writing was on the wall. The lower order caved in like a house of cards. Ben Sears ran riot, finishing with a match-winning fifer (5/34) as Pakistan folded for 221 in 40 overs, falling 43 runs short of the target.



Despite some bright spots, Pakistan’s innings was a case of too many starts, too little finish, and New Zealand cashed in on every opening they got.