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19 April 2024

Pakistan beat New Zealand to level series

Pakistans Mohammad Hafeez (C) celebrates his first 100 runs with Umar Akmal (L) as New Zealand wicket keeper Brendon McCullum (R) looks on (AFP)

Published
By Agencies

Pakistan beat New Zealand by 43 runs in the third match of their series at Lancaster Park in Christchurch on Saturday, thereby levelling the five-match series 1-1.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez scored his first one-day international century to anchor Pakistan's 293 for seven.

Hafeez was superb in mastering a green pitch after New Zealand stand-in captain Ross Taylor won the toss.

The Pakistan opener stroked 12 boundaries and slammed two sixes before eventually departing for 115, caught by Taylor at mid-on after he got a leading edge to a Kyle Mills full toss.

Visiting captain Shahid Afridi then scored a blistering 65, which included five sixes and five boundaries, as he and Umar Akmal (44) blasted a destructive 69-run partnership off 26 balls with Pakistan making full use of the final powerplay.

Afridi also equalled the fastest one-day half century in New Zealand, bringing up the mark on his 19th delivery.