The New Zealand 3-2 victory tale: New Zealand tour of Pakistan review

The New Zealand 3-2 victory tale: New Zealand tour of Pakistan review: New Zealand’s tour of United Arab Emirates has finally ended with the visitors thumping Pakistan by 68 runs to clinch the ODI bilateral series 3-2. It was a long tour for the Kiwis as time and again they had to fight heat more than the opposition, who are adapted to playing there.

The Test Series

Before the series started, Pakistan were in red-hot form thumping Australia in the Test Series that was just held before the Test Series involving New Zealand. In the first test of the tour, Pakistan thumped New Zealand by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi. The series shifted to Dubai and New Zealand slowly started getting accustomed to the conditions, managing to draw the test match. The third test, held in Sharjah, saw the whole cricketing fraternity in grief due to the death of Phillip Hughes after being struck by a bouncer. The whole play of the second day was cancelled as the match was extended by a day. Brendon McCullum, opening the batting for New Zealand smashed a quick fire 202 runs, that included 11 sixes as New Zealand went on to win the emotional match by an innings and 80 runs. It was also the comeback test for Daniel Vettori, as New Zealand fielded 3 spinners.

Result:  Series tied 1-1

Most Runs: Mohammed Hafeez (Pakistan) scored 418 runs from 4 innings at an average of 139.33

Most Wickets: Yasir Shah (Pakistan) took 15 wickets from 5 innings at an average of 33.53

The T20 Internationals

Following an exciting test series, the two teams were involved in a dress rehearsal for the World T20 that will be held in 2016 in India. Both the T20Is were held at the Dubai Sports Complex. Pakistan won the first match by 7 wickets with 5 balls remaining, while New Zealand came back to win the second match by 17 runs, defending a small total and choking Pakistan for a paltry 127.

Result: Series tied 1-1

Most Runs: Sarfaraz Ahmed (Pakistan) scored 77 runs from 2 innings at an average of 77.00

Most Wickets: Kyle Mills (New Zealand) took 3 wickets from 1 inning at an average of 8.33

The ODI Series

The ODIs followed the T20 series and the teams were seen more interested to fight out the battle as part of their preparations for the Cricket World Cup 2015. The series started with Pakistan pipping New Zealand out by 3 wickets with 3 balls to spare before New Zealand bounced back to square the series 1-1. Pakistan thumped New Zealand convincingly in the 3rd ODI by 147 runs via a century by Ahmed Shehzad and a quick fire half century by Shahid Afridi. New Zealand came back again in the next match as they held their nerves to beat Pakistan by 7 runs before taking the series convincingly by 68 runs.

Result: New Zealand won 3-2

Most Runs: Kane Williamson (New Zealand) scored 346 runs from 5 innings at an average of 86.50

Most Wickets: Matt Henry (New Zealand) took 13 wickets from 4 innings at an average of 16.30