New Zealand capped a commanding series sweep Saturday, trouncing Pakistan by 43 runs in the third ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
Chasing 265 in a rain-shortened 42-over match, Pakistan crumbled to 221 in 40 overs. Michael Bracewell’s dual heroics 59 off 40 balls and 1/39 earned him Player of the Match, while Ben Sears’ series haul of 10 wickets nabbed him Player of the Series.
Pakistan’s chase started strong at 55-0, but faltered after opener Imam-ul-Haq retired hurt. Babar Azam led with 50 off 58 (4 fours, 1 six), and Abdullah Shafique added 33 off 56 (3 fours). Mohammad Rizwan’s 37 off 32 (2 fours, 1 six) and Tayyab Tahir’s 33 off 31 (2 fours, 1 six) offered hope, but the middle order buckled. Salman Agha (11), Faheem Ashraf (3), and Mohammad Wasim (0) fell cheaply, with Naseem Shah’s 17 off 13 (1 four, 1 six) too little, too late. Matt Sears (4-42) and Duffy (3-37) tore through, backed by Mitchell and Bracewell.
A series sweep to end the 24/25 New Zealand Summer of Cricket! Ben Sears leading the charge again with successive five-wicket bags and career-best ODI figures (5-34). Catch-up on all scores | https://t.co/fwZlrRKJKE 📲 #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/C410af5x9A
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 5, 2025New Zealand’s Batting Sets the Tone
New Zealand posted 264-8 after a soggy outfield cut the game to 42 overs. Pakistan’s Naseem Shah struck early, dismissing Nick Kelly, but Rhys Mariu’s 58 off 61 (6 fours, 2 sixes) and a 78-run stand with Henry Nicholls (31) steadied the ship.
A fitting way to end the Home Summer 🏆 #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/UJWCdalbWM
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 5, 2025Sufiyan Muqeem snagged Mariu, and Daryl Mitchell (run-out) and Tim Seifert (26) added 61 before Naseem struck again. Bracewell’s late blitz 59* off 40 (1 four, 6 sixes) with Ben Sears (5*) lifted the total. Akif Javed’s 4 wickets stood out for Pakistan.
Read: Imam-ul-Haq Retires Hurt After Face Injury in 3rd ODI
Pakistan’s tour ends grimly 2-0 down after Napier (73 runs) and Hamilton (84 runs), plus a 4-1 T20 loss. New Zealand’s dominance shone through, with Bracewell and Sears sealing the whitewash.
