Ben Sears sinks Pakistan as New Zealand clinch ODI series

HAMILTON: Ben Sears ran through the batting lineup of Pakistan with a sensational five-wicket haul as New Zealand secured an emphatic 84-run victory in the second ODI at Seddon Park on Wednesday, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with one game to spare.

Chasing a target of 293, Pakistan’s innings never really got going as they collapsed to 208 all out in 41.2 overs.

The chase started in disastrous fashion, with the visitors losing three wickets inside the first six overs, reduced to 9-3. The situation worsened as captain Mohammad Rizwan (5) and vice-captain Salman Agha (9) fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan reeling at 32-5.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf provided some resistance at No. 7, adding 33 runs with Tayyab Tahir (13), but the wickets kept tumbling as New Zealand’s bowlers tightened their grip. Pakistan were staring down the barrel at 114-8 in the 28th over.

Amidst the collapse, an unfortunate injury saw Haris Rauf suffer a concussion after being struck on the head, forcing his exit from the match.

Naseem Shah was brought in as a concussion substitute and, along with Faheem, stitched a crucial 60-run stand for the ninth wicket, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope.

However, just when Pakistan seemed to be clawing their way back, Sears returned to break the stand, dismissing Faheem for a gritty 73 off 80 balls.

Naseem fought on, smashing his maiden ODI fifty off just 41 balls, but Sears wrapped up the innings by removing him for 51, leaving Pakistan all out for 208.

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Sears was the standout performer for the Blackcaps, finishing with figures of 5-41. Jacob Duffy chipped in with three wickets, while Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith took one apiece.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 292-8 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 99-run masterclass from Mitchell Hay.

Openers Rhys Mariu and Nick Kelly got the hosts off to a solid start, putting up a 50-run partnership.

However, Haris Rauf provided the breakthrough, dismissing Kelly for 31. Mohammad Wasim Jr. struck in the 10th over, sending Mariu back for 18, reducing New Zealand to 71-2.

The hosts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals—Daryl Mitchell (18), Henry Nicholls (22), and captain Michael Bracewell (17) all got starts but failed to convert.

At 132-5, New Zealand were under pressure, but Muhammad Abbas (41 off 66) and Mitchell Hay steadied the innings with a crucial 77-run stand.

Even as wickets fell, Hay continued to attack, finishing just one run short of what would have been a well-deserved century. His unbeaten 99 off 78 balls, laced with seven fours and seven sixes, powered New Zealand to a competitive total.

For Pakistan, Wasim Jr. and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed, and Haris Rauf claimed one apiece.

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