Published: Jan 31, 2016, 02:33 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 31, 2016, 01:13 AM (IST)
As Pakistan lock horns with New Zealand in the third One-Day International (ODI) of the series at Auckland, they will be keen to finish the series on a high. They have shown glimpses of excellence throughout the series but have floundered many a good opportunity. The perennial problem of inconsistency continued to haunt them. They will seek to put those disappointments behind them as they face off in the concluding match of the series. They are trailing 1-0 to the hosts after the second game at Napier was washed out. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Pakistan 3rd ODI at Auckland
In the first encounter of the 50-over leg, they were comfortably on top initially having New Zealand on the mat at 99 for 6. But they were witness to some steely batting from the New Zealand middle order and lower order which had them eventually chase a target of 281 which was quite daunting under the circumstances.
Their bowlers were quite amazing. Mohammad Aamer in particular remianed threatening through course of the game taking 3 for 28. New Zealand’s bowlers were also very good and they uncovered an unexpected hero in Grant Elliott who wrecked through the Pakistan middle order with his gentle-paced outswingers. Trent Boult cleaned up the Pakistan lower order taking four wickets in just two overs of his second spell. Pakistan eventually lost that match by 70 runs.
