Sufiyan Muqeem scripts history during PAK vs NZ 3rd ODI, becomes 1st player in the world to notch this milestone

Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem made history and secured a place in the record books during the third ODI against New Zealand. New Zealand team continued their strong performance and clinched a 43-run win, completing a 3-0 series win. Batting first, the side led by Michael Bracewell posted a total of 264 runs for the loss of just two wickets in the rain-affected 42-over match

Facing a 265-run target in the rain-shortened match, Pakistan's batting lineup couldn't quite get the job done. They were eventually bowled out for 221 runs in 40 overs, resulting in a 43-run defeat. Interestingly, Sufiyan Muqeem, who had earlier taken one wicket for Pakistan, also managed to set a unique world record while batting in their innings. He came in to bat at the very last position, number 12, for the second time in the series.

Sufiyan Muqeem made history by becoming the first player ever in One Day Internationals to bat twice at the number 12 position. Even though he was in the playing eleven for both of the last two ODIs, he ended up coming in last to bat both times because concussion substitutes were brought in ahead of him in the batting order.

Imam ul Haq unfortunately took a blow to the jaw while running between the wickets and had to be ruled out of the match. Usman Khan came in as his replacement but could only manage 12 runs off 17 deliveries. Then, when it came to the very end of their innings, Sufiyan Muqeem walked out to bat at number 12 and scored 2 runs from the 6 balls he faced.

That match also saw a player injury when Haris Rauf got hit on the helmet and had to leave the game. Naseem Shah came in as his concussion substitute and actually played a fantastic innings, scoring 51 runs off just 44 balls. Interestingly, in that same game, Sufiyan Muqeem, who later made that batting record, had come in to bat and scored a quick, unbeaten 13 runs off 10 balls.

Pakistan had a forgettable tour of New Zealand, managing to win only one out of the eight games they played. They started the T20Iseries with two losses. They did manage to secure a win in the third T20I, offering a brief glimmer of hope. However, New Zealand bounced back to win the final two T20Is, ultimately taking the series with a 4-1 result. The ODI series followed a similar pattern, with New Zealand winning all three matches to complete a 3-0 series sweep