Under-strength New Zealand enjoyed a consolation 47-run win in the fifth and final ODI to deny Pakistan a clean sweep of the series.
Pakistan slipped to No. 3 in the ODI rankings behind Australia and India after they were bowled out for 252 in 46.1 overs — their lowest total in the series — as run-machine Babar Azam went for just one run in his 100th ODI.
Barring the last game, Babar had a dream series which saw him become the fastest player to complete 5,000 runs in ODI cricket — reaching the landmark in 97 innings.
Pakistan rose to the top of the ODI rankings after they won the fourth game of the series, but needed a 5-0 sweep to retain their No. 1 spot.
Half-centuries by Will Young (87) and captain Tom Latham (59) formed the backbone of New Zealand’s total of 299 in 49.3 overs on Sunday after Latham won his third successive toss in the Karachi-leg of the series, but decided to bat first for the first time.
Middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed missed out on his first ODI century and made a fighting unbeaten 94 off 72 balls after Pakistan’s top-order stuttered for the first time in the series.
Brief scores: New Zealand 299 in 49.3 ovs (Will Young 87, Tom Latham 59; Shaheen Afridi 3/46). Pakistan 252 in 46.1 ovs (Iftikhar Ahmed 94 n.o.; Henry Shipley 3/34). New Zealand won by 47 runs.
