Summary Pakistan must win this match in order to equalize the series.
AUCKLAND (Dunya News/ AFP) - Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez shone for Pakistan but received little support as New Zealand were set a 291-run target in the deciding one-day international in Auckland Sunday.
With the pair at the crease, Pakistan were set to threaten the Eden Park ODI innings record of 340, but with their departure the innings collapsed and they were unable to bat out their 50 overs.
Pakistan, who need to win to tie the series, were all out for 290 with 15 balls remaining with Babar contributing a career-best 83 and Hafeez 76.
The tourists were 20-2 in the sixth over when the pair embarked on a 134-run partnership for the third wicket, in which they lifted the run rate to 6.81 by the time Hafeez was dismissed with 27 overs remaining.
Shoaib Malik joined Babar and the run rate continued to rise to 6.90, but when New Zealand’s leading strike bowlers Trent Boult and Matt Henry combined to remove Malik and Babar, Pakistan’s lack of depth was exposed. Their last six wickets fell for 63 runs.
Martin Guptill, who was in doubt on the eve of the match because of a twisted ankle, was instrumental in the first two wickets that fell.
Fielding at short midwicket, he took a smart catch low down to give Boult the wicket of Ahmed Shehzad for 12.
Two balls later, fielding at slip to Henry, he caught Azhar Ali for three and Pakistan were quickly two down after winning the toss and electing to bat.
The wickets dried up as Babar and Hafeez wrested control away from the bowlers, forcing New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum into quick bowler rotation to try to unsettle the pair.
Hafeez eventually fell to Mitchell Santner, caught by Adam Milne at deep backward square leg, for 76 which included five fours and five sixes.
It was a satisfying wicket for Santner in his third over after his first two cost 23 runs.
Malik maintained the onslaught with Babar, adding a rapid 32 off 27 until he was caught behind to give Boult his second wicket.
Babar, whose 83 off 77 contained 10 fours and a six, was removed two overs later when he slashed a Henry delivery to the safe hands of Guptill at point.
Mohammad Rizwan tried to keep the innings alive with 16 before he was unlucky to be run out off a straight drive, which deflected off bowler Grant Elliott’s hand and on to the stumps before he could regain his crease.
For New Zealand, Milne took three for 49 while Boult and Henry finished with two apiece.
New Zealand is leading the series 1-0 so far as Pakistan lost the first ODI by 70 runs. The second ODI held in Napier was cancelled due to rain.
Pakistan must win this match in order to equalize the series.
Pakistan s squad consists of: Azhar Ali (capt.), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan
New Zealand squad consists of: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Brendon McCullum (capt), Luke Ronchi (wk), Kane Williamson
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Pakistan all out at a total of 290 runs. Babar Azam highest scorer during innings scoring 83 runs on 77 balls. Milne takes 3 wickets during innings. Guptill caught 4 catches.
Overs 47.3: Sarfaraz caught out by Ronchi at 41,bowled by Milne.
Overs 45.5: Rahat Ali caught behind by Ronchi without scoring any run. Pakistan at 284/9.
Overs 45.3: Mohammad Amir caught out at just single run by Ronchi, bowled by Milne
Overs 45: Pakistan at 284/7.
Overs 44.2: Guptill can be called as the catch master today! Wahab Riaz caught out at 11 by Guptill on Anderson s bowling.
Overs 40: Pakistan at 262/6. Sarfaraz at 21, Wahab Riaz scored single run so far.
Overs 38.4: Rizwan goes for 16 in a freaky runout. Ahmed s shot touches Elliots hand slightly and ball hits wickets at non-strikers end. Rizwan out of crease.
Overs 35: Pakistan at 232/5. Mohammad Rizwan at 4 runs while Sarfaraz Ahmed at 10.
Overs 33.4: Babar Azam s splendid innings comes to an end at 83 runs. Caught out at 83 by Guptill on Henry s bowl.
Overs 30.2: Shoaib Malik caught behind at 30 runs, bowling by Boult.
Overs 30: Pakistan at 207/3. Azam looks strong at 75 runs. Malik looks steady at 30.
Overs 26.4: Malik hits it off for a six!
Overs 25: Pakistan at 169/3. Azam at 62. Shoaib Malik at 6 runs.
Overs 23.5: Hafeez caught out at 76 runs by Milne bowled by Santner. Pakistan at 154/3.
Overs 21: Babar Azam achieves 50
Overs 20.4: Azam joins Hafeez. Six!
Overs 20.2: Hafeez on fire, a huge six!
Overs 20: Pakistan at 125/2. Azam nearing half century at 41, Hafeez at 61
Overs 19.3: Six! Hafeez in action!
Overs 18.3: Hafeez achieves 50 with a glorious six! Pakistan at 113/2.
Overs 16: Hundred up for Pakistan! 16 overs bowled. Azam and Hafeez s partnership looks strong.
Overs 15: Pakistan at 92/2. Babar Azam looks steady at 35 runs. Mohammad Hafeez playing confidently at 41 runs.
Overs 10: Pakistan at 53/2. Babar Azam at 17 runs while Mohammad Hafeez at 18 runs
Overs 6.6: Six! Hafeez hits it hard. Pakistan at 41/2
Overs 5.1: Pakistan loses second wicket at 20. Azhar Ali caught out by Guptill bowled by Henry
Overs 5: Pakistan 1 down at 20 runs
Overs 4.5: Ahmed Shehzad caught out at 12 runs by Guptill bowled by Trent Boult. Pakistan loses first wicket at 16 runs
Match begins! Boult bowls to Azhar Ali
