New Zealand, led by Ben Sears, won the third and final one-day international by 43 runs on Saturday, sweeping the series 3-0 and exposing Pakistan’s fragile batting again.
The match was cut short to 42 overs due to a delayed start at Mount Maunganui, and the tourists were dismissed for 221 from 40 overs in response to New Zealand’s 264-8.
It proceeded as the first two games had, with the home team winning the first game in Napier by 73 runs and then Hamilton by 84 runs.
With a 4-1 victory, New Zealand also dominated the last T20 series.
Throughout the trip, Pakistan found it difficult to adapt to New Zealand’s seam attack’s constant bounce and movement, and their batters once more made careless strokes at Bay Oval.
Following his five-wicket haul in Hamilton, aggressive speed bowler Sears claimed 5-34, with four of his victims coming to short-pitched deliveries.
The tourists’ hopes of winning were essentially dashed when 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.
Abdullah Shafique opened with a slow 33 off 56 balls, while Babar Azam top-scored with 50 off 58 balls.
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.
Earlier, Rhys Mariu scored a maiden half-century after New Zealand were asked to bat first, with the start of the match delayed for two hours because of a wet outfield.
Opener Mariu, playing just his second international match, scored a composed 58 off 61 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
A number of New Zealand middle-order batters made starts but didn’t press on for big scores until captain Michael Bracewell produced a flashy 59 at the death.
Bracewell struck six sixes in his 40-ball knock before being caught off the last ball of the innings bowled by Akif Javed.
