The third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand was played in Karachi on Wednesday. After losing the toss, Pakistan posted 287-6 in their allotted overs, with Imam-ul-haq scoring 90 runs of 107 balls and Babar Azam adding 54 runs off 62 balls. Matt Henry did well for New Zealand, with 3/54.
In response, Will Young and Tom Blundell gave a solid start for New Zealand and made a confident opening stand of 83 run in 15.3 overs, but could not make it to the last.
Chasing the score of 288, New Zealand were looking for a solid partnership in the middle overs. Mark Chapman and captain Tom Latham were trying to build a solid foundation for their team; they were 168-3 after 34 overs. Then Pakistan skippr Babar Azam gave a ball to Naseem Shah, and the young pacer did not disappoint him.
Shah delivered a back-of-a-length ball that pitched on the middle and leg to disturb Chapman’s timber. The wicket came in Naseem’s fourth over. Chapman tried to defend it, but he was extremely late as the ball hit his top-of-off stump.
Here’s the video:
Top of off-stump…BANG 👊@iNaseemShah does the damage! #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/Zby0wpf3DG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 3, 2023
It was an ideal dismissal for a pacer. Naseem was delighted with that wicket and helped Pakistan for clinching the ODI series after 12 years. Naseem picked up two wickets for 42 runs. Naseem was well supported by Mohammad Wasim and Shaheen Shah Afridi as they too claimed two wickets each.
Later in the innings, debutant Cole McConchie hit a fifty, but it was insufficient as Pakistan easily won by 26 runs. With this victory, Pakistan have established an unbeatable advantage over New Zealand in the five-match ODI series.
Brief Score: Pakistan 287-6 in 50 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 90, Babar Azam 54; Matt Henry 3/54) beat New Zealand 261 all out in 49.1 overs (Tom Blundell 65, Cole McConchie 64 not out; Naseem Shah 2/42) by 26 runs.
