PAK VS NZ - 3rd ODI, New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 2023

Unlike the T20I series where Pakistan let slip a 2-0 lead they have wrapped the ODI series with two games left. New Zealand have come close in all three games but have lost the key moments. They will need to correct those small errors if they are to take something away from this series. The next ODI is on Friday. Do join us for that. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Babar Azam: Whenever you win a series you feel good. The way we started, it was a slow wicket and we were able to build a partnership, we were thinking 260 but Shadab's cameo took us past 280. The way Shadab and Nawaz bowled, they bowled according to the plan and Agha stepped in after Nawaz's injury. We are trying to chase 350s in ODIs and also defend scores under 300. Yes, we have won the series but we can't afford to relax. We have checked our bench strength in this series and we will keep doing that in the remaining two games as well.

Tom Latham: Probably slowed up a little bit. But a couple of partnerships and things would have been different. I thought the way we were able to adapt, the bowlers did a good job and we were reasonably happy at the halfway mark. We had a good start with the bat) but we were not able to continue that momentum after losing a couple of wickets. We didn't get that partnership after the opening wicket and you need that while chasing. Blundell has been an incredible player and McConchie too had a good debut, bowled well in the middle overs and struck some big blows towards the end.

Imam-ul-Haq | Player of the Match: We (himself and Fakhar) are playing together for the last six years it helps. We knew the Karachi surface won't be the same and we had to assess the conditions, 280-290 was a good score. If Fakhar is going, he will take charge and I just play my game. Myself and Babar were speaking about building a partnership because it would have been tough for the middle order batters to come in and score immediately. Yes, I missed my hundred but as long as the team is winning, I am happy.

23:25 Local Time, 18:25 GMT, 23:55 IST: Once again New Zealand come close but cannot cross the line. It has been the story of the series. They were well and truly in the game but some of their decision making let them down, for example a well-set Tom Blundell going for a second run and being run-out. The openers got them off to a solid start and added 83 for the first wicket. Blundell kept going but his dismissal changed the complexion of the game. Latham survived a couple of run-out chances but could not make the most of it. McConchie, on debut, kept the visitors in the hunt but he was left with too much to do. Pakistan were superb in the field. They effected three run-outs and Wasim Jr in particular was brilliant, involved in a run-out and a terrific catch. And with this victory Pakistan take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. Hang around for the presentations..

Naseem Shah to McConchie, out Matt Henry Run Out!! 1 run completed. Pakistan win by 26 runs. "This is their first series win against New Zealand since 2011," informs Mark Butcher on air. Henry had to go for the second to bring McConchie on strike and he falls in that pursuit. Slower ball around off, McConchie mistimes the heave towards long-on and Henry couldn't make it even with a dive. Matt Henry run out (Babar Azam/Naseem Shah) 1(1)

Naseem Shah to McConchie, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Shaheen Afridi to McConchie, 1 run, slower ball outside off, McConchie goes hard on the drive and gets an inside edge behind the wicket

Shaheen Afridi to Matt Henry, 1 run, very full and close to yorker length, Henry digs the drive to long-off

Matt Henry, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, out Bowled!! Cleaned up! That's the perfect definition of the yorker. Very little Sodhi could have done there. Shaheen spears it into the blockhole from round the wicket, Sodhi is beaten for pace and the ball has passed him before the bat could come down, crashes into the base of off-stump. Pakistan are one wicket away from sealing the series. Ish Sodhi b Shaheen Afridi 1(3)

Shaheen Afridi to Ish Sodhi, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Shaheen Afridi to McConchie, 1 run, short and banged into the surface, McConchie mistimes the pull and has to settle with a single

Shaheen Afridi to McConchie, FOUR, misses his yorker but McConchie does not miss out, he clears his front leg and whips it through mid-wicket

Shaheen Afridi to McConchie, no run, right in the blockhole outside off, McConchie lets it pass thinking it is a wide but it is well inside the marker

Naseem Shah to McConchie, 1 run, too straight - on middle and leg, McConchie flicks backward of square and retains strike

Naseem Shah to McConchie, wide, sprays it down leg, McConchie gets inside the line and misses the glance, wide called

Naseem Shah to McConchie, no run, backs away and Naseem follows him, McConchie swings through the line and is beaten on the inside edge

Naseem Shah to McConchie, FOUR, slower ball around off, McConchie makes room and slices it over backward point. No one in the deep to stop that

Naseem Shah to Ish Sodhi, 1 run, good length ball and Sodhi drops it wide of cover, McConchie quickly crosses over