WEBDESK: In the final match of the One Day International (ODI) series between New Zealand and Pakistan, the Kiwis triumphed by 43 runs, securing a 3-0 series sweep. The New Zealand vs Pakistan match took place on April 5, 2025, at the Bay Oval cricket ground in Mount Maunganui, where New Zealand set a challenging target of 265 runs in a rain-affected match.
Batting first in the New Zealand vs Pakistan encounter, New Zealand posted a total of 264/8 in 42 overs. Rhys Mariu played a key role, contributing a solid half-century, while captain Michael Bracewell’s quick-fire 59 off 40 balls provided crucial runs towards the end of the innings.
Seamer Javed took 4-62 off his eight overs although Naseem Shah was arguably the best of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 2-54 and bowling with good pace and movement.
Throughout the New Zealand vs Pakistan tour, the Pakistani batsmen had trouble adjusting to the bounce and movement of the New Zealand pace attack and their batsmen were again caught out playing rash shots.
Pakistan’s innings began badly when opener Imam-ul-Haq was forced to retire hurt for one, having been struck on the jaw by a fielder’s throw when attempting a quick single. Babar Azam top-scored with a resilient 50 runs, but the team’s efforts fell short as they were bowled out for 221 runs in 40 overs.
The standout performer for the kiwis in the New Zealand vs Pakistan match was seamer Ben Sears, who took an impressive 5 wickets for 34 runs, helping dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Fellow seamer Jacob Duffy, who was a handful in both series, took 2-40, including the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan for 37 in the 33rd over to effectively end the tourists’ hopes of victory.
This victory gave New Zealand a dominant 3-0 series win over Pakistan, highlighting their consistency throughout the series with both the bat and ball. Ben Sears was named Man of the Series for taking 10 wickets in the series while Michael Bracewell was man of the match for this game.
Speaking after the New Zealand vs Pakistan game, Mohammad Rizwan said, “It’s a disappointing series. Positives for us is the good touch of Babar Azam and Naseem Shah’s batting. Sufiyan bowled really well. I will give credit to New Zealand; they played really in all departments of the game. We need to play better against new ball. We will go back and discuss whatever we have learned from here.
“We are going to enjoy PSL; it’s a big tournament for us. We couldn’t do well in Champions trophy (and the series here) hopefully we will do well in PSL,” added the Pakistani captain.
The defeat in the New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI series marks Pakistan’s 13th loss in all competitions in 17 matches this year highlighting the strong need for changes in the squad and management.
