Pakistan beats New Zealand in Christchurch ODI to level series 1-1

CHRISTCHURCH - Pakistan has levelled the six-match ODI series 1-1 by beating New Zealand by 43 runs in the third ODI played in Christchurch today.

New Zealand never really challenged Pakistan’s imposing 293-7, with Kane Williamson (42), Scott Styris (46), Martin Guptill (39) and Jamie How (24) all getting starts, but leaving too many runs for the lower order to overhaul the total.

Brendon McCullum (12), Jacob Oram (17), debutant Luke Woodcock (11) and Kyle Mills (17) hung around, but only struggled to 250 for nine in their reply.

Umar Gul was the outstanding bowler of the day, finishing with figures of 2-31 from 10 overs.

Earlier in the day, after being put into bat, Pakistan were in early trouble at 8-2 in the fourth over before opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez turned their fortunes around with an innings of 115 from 144 balls.

Hafeez shared a 94-run fourth-wicket partnership with Misbah-ul-haq (35) and a 52 run partnership with Umar Akmal (44) for the fifth wicket before being dismissed by Kyle Mills (2-61).

Akmal (44) and captain Shahid Afridi (65 off 26 balls) then stepped up the pressure, as Pakistan put on 126 in the last 10 overs to wrest the initiative away from New Zealand, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Afridi’s half century was brought up on his 19th delivery, equalling the fastest ODI half century scored in New Zealand, which is held by Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps had won the first match in Wellington by nine wickets, while the second match in Queenstown was washed out.

The fourth match of the series will be played in Napier on Tuesday. (ANI)