Kane Williamson-led New Zealand just managed a historic 2-1 ODI series victory against the hosts Pakistan with their incredible on-field performance. It was Blackcaps’ first away ODI series win in Asia in the last 14 years.
National Stadium (Karachi) hosted this completely exciting ODI series. After the hosts Pakistan took the 1-0 lead in the series with a six-wicket victory, the visitors won the next two games by 79 runs and two wickets respectively.
1st ODI
In the ODI series opener, the Blackcaps scored 255/9 in 50 overs after losing the toss. While Naseem Shah recorded a five-wicket haul (5/57), the visiting batters majorly failed to capitalize on their starts to the big scores (Michael Bracewell 43, Tom Latham 42, Glenn Phillips 37, Daryl Mitchell 36).
In reply, Pakistan calmly chased the 256-run target in 48.1 overs after losing four wickets. During that chasing, opener Fakhar Zaman scored 56, while Babar Azam (66) and Mohammad Rizwan (77*) strongly controlled the second innings.
Pakistan won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI
In the second ODI, New Zealand scored 261 all out in 49.5 overs, thanks to the opener Devon Conway (101) and skipper Kane Williamson (85). While Mohammad Nawaz took four wickets (4/38), Naseem Shah had three victims (3/58).
Later, Pakistan were bowled out for 182 runs. Except for the captain Babar Azam’s slow 79 runs, the home batting widely struggled in that New Zealand’s complete team-bowling effort.
New Zealand won by 79 runs
3rd ODI
Pakistan captain Babar Azam chose to bat first after winning the toss in the series decider. Opener Fakhar Zaman’s 101, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s 77, and Agha Salman’s 45 guided the hosts to manage a total of 280/9 (50 overs).
In reply, opener Devon Conway (52) and skipper Kane Williamson (53) provided an important start after a steady opening partnership. Later, in the tight moment of the game, Glenn Phillips had a heroic match-winning knock of 63 not out off 42 balls as the visitors chased the target in 48.1 overs after losing eight wickets.
New Zealand won by 2 wickets
Some crucial facts after New Zealand’s historic ODI series win in Pakistan
It is the first time New Zealand won an ODI bilateral series in Pakistan, where the series consisted of more than one game. Previously, New Zealand won the one-off match against the hosts Pakistan in October 1976.
Since 2010, it is the first time New Zealand won an ODI bilateral series against the Asian hosts (excluding neutral venues). Their previous such ODI bilateral series victory was recorded in October 2008 when Kiwis claimed a 2-1 series win against the hosts Bangladesh.
Since 2016, it is the first time New Zealand won an ODI bilateral series in Asia. Their previous ODI bilateral series victory in Asia was recorded in December 2014 when the Blackcaps won a 5-match bilateral series against Pakistan in UAE (won by a 3-2 margin).
New Zealand’s ODI bilateral series wins (more than one match) against the Asian hosts (excluding neutral venues)
March-April 1984: New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka – won the three-match ODI series by 2-1.
November 2004: New Zealand tour of Bangladesh – won the three-match ODI series by 3-0.
October 2008: New Zealand tour of Bangladesh – won the three-match ODI series by 2-1.
January 2023: New Zealand tour of Pakistan – won the three-match ODI series by 2-1.
