New Zealand Crushes Pakistan for 3-0 ODI Series Whitewash at Bay Oval

New Zealand Crushes Pakistan for 3-0 ODI Series Whitewash at Bay Oval Jul, 23 2025

New Zealand Delivers Historic ODI Series Whitewash Over Pakistan

New Zealand cricket fans finally have a reason to celebrate against Pakistan. For the first time in nearly twenty years, the Black Caps have pulled off a stunning 3-0 clean sweep in a One Day International series against Pakistan, wrapping up the final ODI at Bay Oval with a solid 43-run win. This series isn’t just about victory—it's a statement that New Zealand's mix of fresh faces and seasoned campaigners can deliver under pressure, even when history hasn't always been on their side.

The third ODI saw Pakistan win the toss and send New Zealand in to bat first, a choice that looked smart early on when wickets fell at regular intervals. But the home side steadied the ship, with young Rhys Mariu grinding out a hard-fought 36. The Kiwi middle order chipped in with small but crucial knocks, picking up singles, hustling between the wickets, and never letting Pakistan's bowlers settle. When the dust settled after 42 overs—thanks to a rain-shortened match—New Zealand posted a competitive 264 for 8 on the board.

Pakistan started brightly with the bat, clearly hoping to end the tour on a high note. Babar Azam glided to a classy half-century, and Tayyab Tahir offered a glimmer of hope with a well-played 33. But the rest of the batting order found themselves tangled in a web of Kiwi pace, courtesy of Ben Sears and Jacob Duffy. Both bowlers picked up two key wickets each, knocking the stuffing out of Pakistan's chase just when it seemed the visitors might mount a comeback. By the 40th over, Pakistan found themselves bowled out for just 221, well short of their target.

Kiwi Bowlers Dominate as Pakistan Falters

If Pakistani fans were waiting for their team’s backbone to show up, this series was a disappointment. For all of Babar Azam’s elegance at the crease, the rest of the line-up seemed uneasy facing bounce and swing—a recurring theme across all three matches. New Zealand’s pace battery, led by Ben Sears and Jacob Duffy, kept asking the right questions, mixing up lengths and forcing errors from a usually reliable batting order. This discipline was matched by sharp fielding, making sure half-chances quickly turned into wickets.

New Zealand's team effort went beyond individual brilliance. The bowlers worked in pairs, the fielders chased down every ball, and the batters soaked up pressure instead of folding. It also helped that they had the home advantage, reading the Bay Oval pitch better and adapting to the swinging conditions. On the other hand, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships when it mattered, leaving way too much for their star batsman to do.

  • Rhys Mariu anchored key partnerships in the middle overs, showing patience and maturity far beyond his years.
  • Sears and Duffy shared four wickets, nipping Pakistan's chase in the bud.
  • Babar Azam’s 50 was a lone bright spot for the visitors, as the rest of the top order faltered.
  • This clean sweep marks New Zealand’s first since their 2003-04 series against Pakistan—a drought finally ended.

With the series win, New Zealand not only climbs the ODI rankings but also regains confidence before upcoming international fixtures. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be heading back home with tough questions about their batting under pressure and their ability to adjust to changing conditions away from home. The 3-0 scoreline tells a story of one-sided dominance, and for New Zealand, it’s a series to remember.