KARACHI: New Zealand on Sunday avoided whitewash in the five matches ODI series by beating Pakistan in the last match by 7 runs. The match held at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.Â
Trailing 4-0 in the series, the Black Caps opted to bat first for the first time after winning the toss at the National Bank Cricket Arena in the fifth PAK vs NZ ODI.
Will Young led the charge for the visitors as he smashed 91-ball 87 before captain Tom Latham and Mark Chapman made useful contributions of 43 and 58.
Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, who remained unimpressive in his opening spell, stormed through the lower order and took three wickets in the death overs to keep New Zealand in check.
From 267 for 5 in the 45th over, New Zealand slid to 299 all-out after Shaheen and Haris put up some excellent effort with the ball in the last five overs.
Shadab, who made his return after being benched in the last ODI, gave Pakistan crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs as he removed well-set Young and Chapman, breaking 50-plus partnerships on both occasions.
Usman Mir (2-53) then struck down Tom Latham at the right time as the left-hander was looking to be in great touch since he smashed five fours during 58-ball 59.
Cole McConchie and Rachin Ravindra also showed some intent in the latter part of the innings with their respective knocks of 26 and 28.
The target set by the Kiwis turned out to be too much for Pakistan as they succumbed to their first defeat in the ongoing five-match series despite a brilliant half-century by Iftikhar Ahmed.
A defeat in the fifth PAK vs NZ ODI also deprived Pakistan of the top spot in the ODI team rankings as they slipped back to the third position.
