Wellington: New Zealand inflicted a rare 5-0 ODI series whitewash over Pakistan with a 15-run win at Basin Reserve here, Friday.
A century to Martin Guptill (100, 126b, 10×4, 1×6) helped the Black Caps set a 272-run target that proved too much for Pakistan after Matt Henry (4/53) tore through their top order. Pakistan were bundled out for 256.
It is only the third time Pakistan have been on the wrong end of a 0-5 ODI clean sweep after they succumbed by the same margin to Australia in 2010 and the West Indies in 1988. New Zealand on the other hand, have won by a 5-0 margin only once before, when they hosted the West Indies in 2000.
The result extends New Zealand’s winning streak in all forms of the game to 12 matches, a record for the team, and they are undefeated at home since March last year.
Henry ensured Pakistan made a disastrous start. Left arm spinner Mitchell Santner (3/40) ably supported the pacer.
Pakistan slumped to 57 for five before Haris Sohail (63, 87b, 5×4) and Shadab Khan (54, 77b, 5×4) combined for a 105-run partnership that steadied the innings. After a solid stand, both the batsmen were dismissed one-after-another which ended Pakistan’s faint hopes of victory.
Earlier, Guptill scored his 13th ODI century, combining with Colin Munro (34) to give the hosts a flying start before Rumman Raees (3/67) helped spark a mini-collapse.
After a frustrating morning, Pakistan’s attack enjoyed some late success when they took four wickets for 12 runs, including the crucial wickets of Guptill and Ross Taylor (59, 73b, 3×4).
Brief scores
New Zealand 271/7 (Martin Guptill 100, Ross Taylor 59; Rumman Raees 3/67) bt Pakistan 256 all out in 49 overs (Haris Sohail 63, Shadab Khan 54; Matt Henry 4/53) by 15 runs.
agence france-presse
