In-focus

Pakistan suffer dramatic collapse in decider

Dunya News

New Zealand beat Pakistan by seven runs to win the third and final one-day international in Abu Dhabi on Monday, taking the three-match series 2-1. It was, by all accounts, a bizarre game. First New Zealand collapsed, and then Pakistan out-collapsed them and, just when you thought New Zealand had sealed the series, Mohammad Aamer scripted a remarkable comeback along with Saeed Ajmal. New Zealand held their nerve to clinch a 2-1 victory in Abu Dhabi. Set to score 212 for a win, Pakistan made a mess of their run chase as they hurtled to defeat after a strong start. From 47 for no loss, they went reeling to 86 for 8. After Vettori broke the opening stand when he dismissed Khalid Latif for 19, Salman Butt was run out for the second time with 25 and after that the floodgates opened. Muhammad Aamer scored 73 runs not-out and made a history with the highest last-wicket partnership of 103 runs with Saeed Ajmal who scored 33 runs. Earlier, Saeed Ajmal's career-best haul of 4 for 33 could not have come at a better time, both for his team as well as the under-pressure skipper Younus Khan. With a match-winning century in the previous match under his belt, McCullum was once again in a belligerent mood as he belted three huge sixes and six boundaries in his 76 off 78 balls. Muhammad Aamer was declared man of the match while Brendon McCullum was announced man of the series. Pakistan won the first match by 138 runs, while New Zealand took the second by 64 runs and the 3rd match by 7 runs.