New Zealand 280 for 8 (Nicholls 82, Santner 48, Henry 48, Amir 3-28, Anwar Ali 3-66) beat Pakistan 210 ( Azam 62, Hafeez 42, Boult 4-40, Elliott 3-43) by 70 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
New Zealand’s 280 was built on Henry Nicholls’ measured 82 © Getty Images
New Zealand were on the ropes at 99 for 6, and already missing their three-most experienced players, were further hamstrung by an injury to Mitchell McClenaghan. Yet, as they have done time and again at home in recent years, they swung, scrapped and thought themselves to a 70-run victory, finding heroes in unlikely places, and fielding impeccably in defence of their 280 for 8.
That score was founded on a measured 82 from Henry Nicholls, in just his second ODI series. Mitchell Santner had lent him a hand in the rebuild, adding 48, but the surprising stars of the innings batted at No. 9 and 10. Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan’s rollicking 73-run ninth-wicket stand came off 33 balls. The partnership, which featured six sixes and as many fours, propelled New Zealand to a competitive score on a bouncy, quick surface.
Full report to follow
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo