Hamilton: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 84 runs in the second ODI here at Seddon Park to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 99 powered New Zealand to 292/8 in 50 overs. Later, a devastating fast-bowling display made Pakistan’s chase a mere formality, as they were bundled out for 208.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the decision backfired as openers Rhys Mariu and Nick Kelly got New Zealand off to a flying start, racing past 50 within six overs.
Haris Rauf, however, brought Pakistan back into the contest, dismissing Kelly in the seventh over. Babar Azam then took a sharp catch to dismiss Mariu, reducing the hosts to 97/2 by the 15th over.
Then, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Daryl Mitchell and Henry Nicholls in quick succession, reducing the host to 135/4. But just when Pakistan appeared to seize control, Mitchell Hay and Muhammad Abbas stitched together a crucial 77-run partnership.
Abbas, who had impressed on debut, played a patient 52-ball 20, while Hay slowly shifted gears. Once Abbas fell, Hay unleashed a brutal assault in the final overs, smashing 49 runs off Mohammad Wasim Jr's last three overs to propel New Zealand to 292/8.
For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Muqeem was the most successful and economical bowler, taking two wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. Mohammad Wasim Jr, playing his first match on the tour, bagged two wickets for 78 runs in 10 overs.
