Pakistan beat New Zealand in a thrilling third ODI match to clinch the series on Tuesday. Despite a record fifty by debutant Cole McConchie, New Zealand failed to chase down Pakistan's target of 297 runs.
The match started with New Zealand captain Tom Latham winning the toss and electing to field first. Pakistan's opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq got off to a slow start, scoring just 16 runs in the first five overs. However, they soon picked up the pace and put on a partnership of 66 runs before Zaman was dismissed for 26.
Haq went on to score his ninth ODI century, scoring 113 runs off 122 balls. He was supported by Babar Azam, who scored 64 runs before being dismissed by Matt Henry. Mohammad Rizwan also contributed with a quickfire 34 off just 21 balls, taking Pakistan's total to 297/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
In response, New Zealand got off to a shaky start, losing their first three wickets for just 35 runs. However, McConchie and Tom Latham put on a brilliant partnership of 109 runs for the fourth wicket, with McConchie scoring a record fifty on debut. He became the first New Zealand player to score a fifty on his ODI debut batting at number seven or lower.
Despite McConchie's heroics, New Zealand fell short of the target, finishing on 271/7 in their 50 overs. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking three wickets for 62 runs.
The win in the third ODI gave Pakistan an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series, with one match still to be played. This was a much-needed series win for Pakistan, who had lost their previous three ODI series.
For New Zealand, this loss will come as a disappointment, especially after their impressive performance in the T20I series, which they won 2-1. They will be looking to bounce back in the final match of the ODI series and end the tour on a high note.
Overall, it was a thrilling match that showcased some excellent cricket from both teams. Pakistan will be delighted with their series win, while New Zealand will be looking to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the future.
