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New Zealand vs Pakistan, 5th ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Series: Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2018 Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington Date & Time: Jan 19, 11:00 AM LOCAL
Hosts New Zealand lead the five-match series 4-0. © Getty
Martin Guptill is Man of the Match as well as the Man of the Series.
SUMMARY:New Zealand got a major scare but somehow managed to prevail in this encounter Guptill's hundred and Taylor's fifty gave them a fighting score when Pakistan looked to tighten the screws with the ball. They huffed and puffed their way to 271, which proved just about enough in the end. Pakistan got off to the worst possible start, losing five top-order wickets cheaply. Haris and Shadab gave them an outside chance with a century partnership that revived the chase, and from there, the lower order men threw their bat almost everything in a desperate bid to avoid the whitewash. They came agonisingly close, having shown more intent that half their top-order combined, but eventually fell 15 short.
NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 15 RUNS:It's all over! Fittingly, it's Henry who takes the final wicket as Pakistan fold for 256!
New Zealand need one wicket and Yamin is the key for Pakistan. And to make matters worse for the hosts, he's doing alright to keep the tourists in the hunt. The edges are going for boundaries and Pakistan would happily accept it! He's quickly moved into his 30s. Pakistan need 17 off nine now.
WICKET:Nawaz is beaten for pace and bowled by Ferguson. 148.9kmph.. no wonder!The bowler leaps in joy! He knows what a crucial wicket this is in the context of the game. Plus he'd been taken to the cleaners in just his previous over. New Zealand are only a wicket away now.
LATE FLOURISH:Would you believe it? Yamin and Nawaz have decided to have some fun and suddenly, the equation is down to 46 off 30. Not a big ask, really. Couple of big overs there - off Henry and Ferguson. 16 runs in each of those overs.
Third wicket for Santnerjust after Pakistan go past the 200-run mark, and Faheem Ashraf's fireworks come to an end.
SANTNER BREAKS THROUGH:The century stand that was giving Pakistan a faint hope of avoiding the whitewash, has been broken. Sohail looks to hit one straight down the ground but didn't middle it well. Hurried into his shot and long-on fielder takes a simple catch. An over later, he also gets the other set batsman. Shadab stepped down the track, looking to go for an expansive drive but instead edges to short third man.
ANOTHER FIFTY:This one is for Shadab. After a good show with the ball, he scores another gritty half-century when his side needed it the most. Gets there with a boundary off Ferguson. Third ODI fifty, and second of the series. The partnership between Haris and Shadab is also 100 now.
Pakistan need 116 runs in 84 balls. Can they?
FIFTY:Back to back fifties for Sohail Haris. Brings up the landmark off the 76th ball. Pakistan though have fallen way behind. They need the two settled batsmen to show more intent if they are to avoid the whitewash.
100 UP:For Pakistan. Haris and Shadab have taken Pakistan past the 100-run mark. The partnership is now 44.Pakistan 101 for 5 after 26 overs.
De Grandhomme joins the party!Another spectacular catch from Rosco and skipper Sarfraz is on his way back to the pavilion. Needless, aimless shot from the captain, really. Taylor jump high to his right at midwicket and plucks a stunner to leave Pakistan five-down.
ANOTHER BLOW TO PAKISTAN:Short. Wide. Hafeez chases. Munro holds on to it this time. First wicket for Lockie Ferguson this gameand, it seems, Pakistan are going down the same path again! Hafeez's partnership with Haris lasts for only 21 runs. Here comes the Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed.
AND NOW THE THIRD:He's having a dream match, isn't he? Third wicket for Henry... he's making the most of his chance.Babar Azam falls this time. Good length ball, in the corridor of uncertainty. Babar goes on to flirt with it, gets the thich outside edge and its a regulation catch for Guptill in second slip. Pakistan three down for 31 on the board, in the chase of 272.
SECOND FOR HENRY:Matt Henry strikes again! What an ugly shot to get out to, from Fakhar Zaman. Can't even figure on replay whether he wanted to go over the covers or play this one along the ground. Chips a catch to mid-off, where Williamson gleefully accepts the offering. His chance lasts only a a couple of overs. Gone for 12. Here's Haris Sohail.
Babar Azam, recently selected in TOSS: New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first in Wellington, despite the slightly overcast conditions. Likely changes:Trent Boult has been rested for this fixture and we might see all-rounder Seth Rance making his debut today. For Pakistan, Shoaib Malik showed signs of a late concussion after being hit on the head during the fourth game. He could be rested as well, giving either of Inam-ul-Haq or Azhar Ali another shot. We'll have a confirmation at toss, which is coming up in 15 minutes. Stay tuned! Story so far:Here comes the final chance in this series for Pakistan to prove that they are no pushovers. After nine consecutive ODI wins ont he trot, since their turnaround in the Champions Trophy last year, Pakistan were expected to put up a tough fight in New Zealand. What we have instead is a 4-0 series scoreline thus far in the favour of the hosts and a dead rubber on our hands this morning. Welcome! We'll get you all the live updates from the fifth and final ODI of the series, being played in Wellington.
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