Pacer Ben Sears has produced a career-defining performance, claiming a sensational five-wicket haul to power his team to a 43-run victory during the 3rd ODI match of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025.
The Blackcaps secured a clean sweep 3-0 victory against Pakistan after a clinical performance from Sears who gave a five-wicket haul to power his team to a 43-run victory.
The match, shortened to 42 overs per side due to wet outfield, saw New Zealand post a seemingly modest total of 265.
Ben Sears struck crucial blows just as Pakistan began to build momentum. His ability to generate pace and his right lengths consistently turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor. He picked 5/34 in nine overs, aggression and game awareness.
Back-to-back five-wicket bags and the leading wicket-taker in the series. The Chemist Warehouse Player of the Series – Ben Sears 🏅 #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/L7hmnWtgkV
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 5, 2025
Opener Rhys Mariu and Michael Bracewell made half centuries and Daryl Mitchell passed 2,000 runs as New Zealand scored 264-8 in the rain shortened game.
Mitchell who came to bat with 1988 runs in ODI went on to finish with 2041 runs from the 52 matches with an average of 49.7.
Bracewell finished strongly, making 59 runs off 40 deliveries and helping New Zealand put on 99 from the last 19 overs.
Pakistan won the toss and bowled first for the third time in the three-match series. The tactic was unsuccessful in the first two matches which New Zealand won by 73 runs and 84 runs.
Pakistan gained first use of pitch at Bay Oval which has been covered for two days becuase of rain. The rain left damp patches close to the pitch which caused the start of play to be delayed by 90 runs.
Bean Sears was named as the Player of the Series for back to back five wicket hauls. Speaking at the post match conference, ” It was a good couple of days. Pretty grateful to get the opportunity against a really good team, and it was cool to get some wickets,” said Sears.
“Pretty exciting, really cool experience with a great group of guys. Having Duff and Will running in hard at the top, it’s nice to come in first change and have guys go at you because they can’t get them away,” said Sears.
“It’s awesome, just to play with Duff and O’Rourke, the swing and the movement and the bounce, coming in first change, was just trying to have an impact, it was good fun. (Different role today?) Same plan, again they (Duffy and O’Rourke) started off in really good areas, they were building pressure.”
We tried to hold it through the middle and keep that pressure going. It was nice to get a few wickets. I wasn’t about thinking about it (fifer while bowling the final over), it’s cool to get a fifer, cool to be part of that performance,” concluded Ben Sears.
