Pakistan lower order put up a fight after they were reduced to 32/5 in the run chase of 293 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. But, Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah's maiden fifties were was not enough to avoid a series defeat against New Zealand as the Michael Bracewell-led side won by 84 runs. The hosts took an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-ODI series.
For the hosts, wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay starred with the bat as he scored an unbeaten 78-ball 99. Defending a total of 292, Ben Sears registered his maiden five-wicket haul whereas Jacob Duffy struck three times.
New Zealand slow down after blazing start
Earlier, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first. New Zealand got off to a flier. The opening partnership was broken by Haris Rauf in the seventh over. Nick Kelly scored 31 runs from 23 balls. Mohammad Waism Jr struck in his first over as well and dismissed debutant Rhys Mariu who contributed with 18 runs from 25 balls. A few overs later, left-arm chinaman bowler Sufiyan Muqeem was introduced and he got Daryl Mitchell stumped for a run-a-ball 18. In the next over, left-arm pacer Akif Javed got back into the attack and trapped Henry Nicholls in front of the stumps. Nicholls scored 22 runs from 32 balls.
Hay misses ton but finishes in style
Captain Bracewell could not get going either and became Wasim Jr's second victim. He scored 17 runs from 28 balls. Muhammad Abbas and Hay got through the middle phase with caution. Hay broke loose in the 39th over hitting Rauf for two consecutive sixes. The partnership was broken by Muqeem in the 40th over. Abbas scored 41 runs from 66 balls. Hay got to his half-century in the 45th over. Ashraf in his last over delivered with the wicket of Nathan Smith. Hay continued to hit big in the slog overs while Sears was run out on the other end. In the final over, he hit two sixes and as many fours to help New Zealand post 292/8. He missed his century by just one run. Hay's unbeaten 99 from 78 balls featured seven sixes and as many fours.
Batting collapse of epic proportions
In the run chase, Pakistan's promiment pacers looked clueless in conditions that aided swing bowling and generated bounce as well. William ORourke drew first blood with Abdullah Shafique's wicket. Duffy got into the act and got the prized wicket of Babar Azam. In his next over, Duffy ended Imam-ul-Haq's short ressistance as well. Sears was introduced into the attack and he got rid of Salman Agha and Rizwan. Pakistan lost half the side for just 32 runs in the 12th over. Boundaries were scarce as Pakistan looked to rebuild. Tayyab Tahir fell to Smith and then Wasim became Sears' third victim of the day. Pakistan lost seven wickets for 74 runs in the 22nd over.
Ashraf, concussion replacement Naseem's fightback
Ashraf led the fightback. Notably, he had an average of just over 11 in ODIs before this match. Meanwhile, Rauf took a blow to the head and returned to the dressing room concussed. Ashraf reached his fifty with a six in the 28th over. Duffy returned to dismiss Javed for a single-digit score. Naseem walked in as Rauf's concussion replacement. The two batters showed positive intent and looked for boundaries. Ashraf played second fiddle to Naseem who aimed to clear the fence. In the 38th over, Sears ended Asrhaf's fightback. He scored 73 runs from 80 balls including six fours and three sixes. Muqeem got off the mark with a six in the same over. In the 41st over, Naseem reached his maiden ODI fifty from 41 balls. Sears completed his fifer to end Naseem's entertaining knock laced with four sixes and as many fours. Pakistan were bowled out for 208 as New Zealand won the match by 84 runs.