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Sport Nation
Blackcaps complete clean sweep against Pakistan with win in third ODI
Sport Nation • April 5th, 2025 7:45 pm
Photo: Photosport
The Blackcaps have cruised past Pakistan yet again, closing out another comfortable win in the third and final ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday.
After posting 264/8 in the rain-reduced 42-over match, Pakistan only managed 221 - unable to avoid a sweep in New Zealand's final home match of the summer as they were bundled out in 40 overs to hand the hosts a 43-run triumph.
Rhys Mariu (58) and captain Michael Bracewell (59) led the way with the bat, leaving Ben Sears to do the damage with the ball, claiming his second consecutive five-wicket bag (5/34).
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After the visitors won the toss and sent NZ into bat, the hosts posted, setting the scene for the chase at Bay Oval.
The start of play was delayed by the deluge of rain which had fallen the day throughout Tauranga over the past few days, with the contest eventually reduced to a 42-over showdown.
The visitors earned an early breakthrough with the removal of Nick Kelly in the third over, Naseem Shah inducing a false shot that resulted in an easy catch at short midwicket.
Newcomer Mariu set his intent early and bedded down with Henry Nicholls for a foundational partnership, until the latter holed out deep off Akif Javed for 31 off 40 balls.
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Mariu departed not long after he reached his maiden ODI half century in just his second appearance, trapped LBW by Sufiyan Muqeem for 58 off 61 balls, including six fours and a pair of sixes.
With NZ poised at 103/3 in the 20th over, Tim Seifert entered the fray with his typical aggression, adding 26 off 29 balls before being caught at deep midwicket.
Daryl Mitchell set in with a useful 43 off 53 balls, followed back to the pavilion by Muhammad Abbas, who managed just 11.
Skipper Michael Bracewell was the key for the New Zealanders down the stretch, blasting half a dozen sixes en route to 59 off 40 balls, caught on the final ball of the innings.
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The Blackcaps failed to make early inroads against the Pakistan batters, who meandered through the first 10 overs to 39/0. The only departure during that period was Imam-ul-Haq, who retired hurt after being struck through the grill by a throw from the outfield.
Babar Azam slammed 50 to give his side some momentum before Mitchell lured him into a false stroke, as his side slid steadily behind the asking run rate.
Captain Muhammad Rizwan provided some more impetus, scoring 37 off 32 to keep Pakistan in the contest.
Tayyib Tahir set down his anchor but Ben Sears struck twice in as many balls in the 38th over to essentially kill off any remaining hope for the tourists.
