KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Glenn Phillips smoked an unbeaten 63 runs from 42 balls to seize for New Zealand a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the series-deciding one-day international on Friday.
Phillips counterattacked after a collapse and carried New Zealand over the line with 11 balls to spare. They rounded off their tour with a 2-1 victory, their first ODI series win on the subcontinent in 15 years.
New Zealand reached 281-8 in reply to Pakistan’s 280-9.
Phillips upstaged Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant 101 — his eighth ODI century — and Mohammad Rizwan’s better-than-a-run-a-ball 77.
“We were in the game at the halfway stage but made a few errors,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “Glenn was just playing how he plays. I don’t think he wanted to run too much; he was a bit under the weather. He just grabbed it (the game).”
Fakhar and Rizwan combined in a 154-run third-wicket stand after vice-captain Shan Masood, playing his first game of the series, was out for zero and captain Babar Azam was stumped for the third time in the series on 4.
Fakhar adjusted well on the slow pitch and raised his 100 off 120 balls with 10 fours and a six. New Zealand clawed its way back into the game by claiming seven wickets for 105 runs.
Ish Sodhi broke the threatening stand by having Rizwan clean bowled off a sharp googly, while substitute fielder Henry Nicholls brilliantly ran out Fakhar and Haris Sohail off direct throws.
Agha Salman made 45 off 43 balls, but New Zealand kept striking at regular intervals. Tim Southee claimed 3-56 and Lockie Ferguson chipped in with 2-63 in his 50th ODI.