MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 43 runs in the last ODI to complete their one-day series at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Set a 265 moderate target to win was hit hard when Imam-ul-Haq was struck on the right jaw while running between wickets. The injury forced him to leave the match, and Usman Khan replaced him.
Batting first, New Zealand had a rough start. Naseem Shah dismissed Nick Kelly in the third over. Rhys Mariu steadied the innings, scoring 58 off 61 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. He was later trapped LBW by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Henry Nicholls added 31 off 40 before falling to Akif Javed, leaving New Zealand at 91-2 in the 18th over. Daryl Mitchell (43) and Tim Seifert (26) built a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Seifert was dismissed by Naseem Shah.
Mitchell was then removed by Akif Javed, and Faheem Ashraf sent Mitchell Hay back for 8. New Zealand was 244-7 in the 41st over.
Bracewell played a key role, remaining unbeaten on 59 off 40 balls, with Ben Sears adding 5*. New Zealand finished with 264-8.
