Ben Sears played a starring role once again as New Zealand completed a 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan at Bay Oval. (Highlights | More Cricket News)
With superb figures of 5-34, Ben Sears became the first New Zealand bowler to record back-to-back five-fors in men's ODIs
Ben Sears played a starring role once again as New Zealand completed a 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan at Bay Oval. (Highlights | More Cricket News)
The medium-fast claimed a second successive five-for in Mount Maunganui, where the Black Caps eased to a 43-run victory.
Despite a two-hour rain delay and the early loss of Nick Kelly (five), New Zealand quickly got into their stride.
Captain Michael Bracewell top-scored with 59 with Rhys Mariu (58) also notching a half-century, while Daryl Mitchell and Henry Nicholls chipped in with 43 and 31 respectively, as the hosts finished on 264-8.
Pakistan's response was stalled by an early injury to Imam-ul-Haq, before Abdullah Shafique (33) and Babar Azam (50) led their charge.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan also chipped in with 37, but Sears (5-34) claimed half the batting order as the Black Caps eventually bowled them out for 221.
"[It was an] enjoyable day, [it's] always nice to finish the season on a high," Bracewell said.
"[We] wanted to put up a good performance in front of a great crowd, thankful we managed to do that. Seeing the guys come in and do well is most pleasing, and winning series is an added bonus.
"It was great to see different guys step up at different times. There were some great partnerships along the way. We found a way to get to an above-par total and, the way the bowlers bowled, it was always going to be enough."
"It's a disappointing series," Rizwan added. "I will give credit to New Zealand; they played really in all departments of the game."
Data Debrief: Sears and Mitchell make Black Caps history
Sears' superb contribution was an unprecedented one. Indeed, he is the first New Zealand bowler to record back-to-back five-fors in men's ODIs.
Akif Javed also impressed with the ball for Pakistan, with figures of 4-62.
However, he was powerless to prevent Mitchell from surpassing 2,000 runs in only his 47th match, making him the quickest Black Caps player to reach that tally.