Black Caps win series after rain

New Zealand left it late to clinch their one-day international series against Pakistan following a rain-affected three-wicket win in Auckland.

Mitchell Santner crashed the winning boundary with two balls to go after a rain break had left the Black Caps needing a revised 53 from 45 balls.

Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson had put New Zealand in control of the chase before the clouds closed in, hitting 82 and 84 respectively, in a stand of 159 for the second wicket.

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali kept managed to winkle out both with his part-time spin and there was still work for the hosts to do when they went into the rain break five down.

Kane Williamson struck a game-high 84 to help steer New Zealand to a series-clinching win over Pakistan in Auckland

Matters could have been further complicated for the hosts after the resumption as Mohammad Hafeez put down Luke Ronchi in the deep before umpire Billy Bowden failed to detect a Corey Anderson nick behind.

It proved costly for Pakistan as Anderson crashed back-to-back sixes and, while he and Ronchi would exit before the end, Santner ensured they got the six runs they needed from the final over.

Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 290 from 47.3 overs as the loss of 34 for five ended the innings prematurely.

Babar Azam top-scored with 83 from 77 balls while Hafeez added 76 from 60 balls, but Adam Milne, who this week signed for Essex in the NatWest T20 Blast, did the late damage on way to figures of 3-49.

New Zealand will next meet Australia in a three-match ODI series – which will be McCullum’s last limited-overs campaign – with the first match at Eden Park on Wednesday.


Source: ECB

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