Black Caps draw series after rain halts decider

New Zealand batsmen George Worker and Henry Nicholls leave the field as rain stops play during...
New Zealand batsmen George Worker and Henry Nicholls leave the field as rain stops play during the third ODI against Pakistan. Photo: Getty
The Black Caps have missed out on the opportunity for a rare overseas series victory, with their hopes of glory being vanquished by something even more unique.

Their ODI series against Pakistan has ended in a 1-1 draw, after the third and (supposedly) deciding one-dayer in Dubai was abandoned due to rain.

Yes, you read that right – rain. In Dubai! Down it came with the Black Caps at 35-1 in their chase of 280 for victory, and the players never returned to the pitch, leaving the series drawn.

Whether that classifies as a missed opportunity for the Black Caps depends on your perspective.

Chasing 280, having already lost Colin Munro, and with captain Kane Williamson absent due to a minor groin strain, a victory was probably unlikely.

However, George Worker and Henry Nicholls had started strongly, and both sides would have wanted to fight for a deserved result on the field, rather than the damp conclusion they were eventually given.

It ends an ODI series which – much like the Twenty20 series before it – contained some positive signs for the Black Caps, just without the results new coach Gary Stead would have liked.

Their bowlers had their moments, with Lockie Ferguson's stock particularly rising after another impressive effort this morning.

The speedster claimed his first international five-wicket bag, taking 5-45, albeit it with three of this scalps coming in the last over. However, his pace has proven problematic throughout the entire series, and he looks to have jumped Adam Milne and Matt Henry into the Black Caps' top three seam options in the 50-over format.

Henry had his chance today as well, taking 1-53 after replacing Tim Southee, while Trent Boult took a hammering, going for 80 from his 10 overs, including a bizarre moment where Pakistan ran five off one of his deliveries after some shambolic fielding.

Babar Azam was again superb for the hosts, hitting 92 from 100 balls, while Fakhar Zaman (65) and Haris Sohail (60) saw Pakistan reach 279-8 – an exceptionally challenging total on the slower UAE wickets.

It would have taken something special for the Black Caps to chase it down and earn a series victory, but alas, they didn't even get the chance.

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM