Pakistan has managed to achieve their first one-day international series win against New Zealand in 12 years with a grueling 26-run victory in the third match in Karachi on Wednesday. The Pakistani team was led by the impressive batting of Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam who scored 90 and 54 runs respectively. Azam's outstanding performance marked his 26th ODI half-century. New Zealand, despite Tom Blundell's half-century score of 65 runs and a notable debut performance by Cole McConchie who scored 64 runs off 45 balls, were bowled out for 261 in 49.1 overs. Pakistan had already won the first two matches by five and seven wickets in Rawalpindi, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The last two matches will be held on Friday and Sunday, also in Karachi.
Pakistan's last ODI series win over New Zealand was back in 2011, and since then, they have lost six out of the seven series, with one drawn. New Zealand posed a serious threat to the Pakistani team when Blundell and Will Young scored a confident opening stand of 83 in 15.3 overs. Young's run-out off a direct throw from short third-man and the dismissal of Daryl Mitchell for 21 by Mohammad Wasim turned the tables in favor of Pakistan. Pakistan's excellent bowling continued as they managed to get Blundell run out and Tom Latham caught behind. Mark Chapman, who scored 13, and Latham, who made 45, added 40 for the fourth wicket but were eventually dismissed by Naseem Shah and Wasim respectively. McConchie's valiant efforts to secure a victory for New Zealand were in vain as he ran out of partners.
Pakistan's Naseem, Wasim, and Shaheen Shah Afridi all took two wickets each. In the earlier part of the match, New Zealand started strong by getting the in-form opener Fakhar Zaman caught off Matt Henry for 19. Zaman, who had scored three hundreds in his last three ODI innings, had started well before Imam-ul-Haq and Azam took over. Azam hit three fours and a six before chopping one onto his stumps off Henry. Haq was bowled by Adam Milne in the 38th over. Abdullah Shafique managed only 19, and Agha Salman's 31 runs helped Mohammad Rizwan's 32 runs add 54 runs for the fifth wicket, lifting the total score. In the final overs, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan contributed 11 and 21 not out, respectively. Henry was the best bowler for New Zealand, taking three wickets for 54 runs.