Twitter Reactions: All-round Pakistan outmuscle Blackcaps to claim historic series victory

Babar Azam's Pakistan claimed their first series victory against New Zealand since 2011 after defeating the Kiwis for a third game in a row, sealing the five-match series. The home side ran out comfortable victors in the end after successfully defending 287 runs in the third ODI of the series against New Zealand in Karachi. 

The visitors, chasing an above-par total to remain alive in the ODI series, got off to a sturdy start, thanks to an 83-run opening stand between Will Young and Tom Blundell. However, both the openers were sent back in quick succession after some brilliant bit of work by the Pakistanis in the field.

Blundell's wicket really deflated the Blackcaps and even though skipper Tom Latham fought hard with a gritty 45 off 60 deliveries, Pakistan were always ahead in the game. Cole McConchie, who was making his ODI debut for the Kiwis in the match, threatened to take his side home with a ballistic half-century, but he was left with too much to do in the end, without receiving much support from the other end.

Imam and Babar pushed Pakistan to a healthy total

Earlier in the match, it was the visitors who won the toss and decided to bowl first in a decisive contest in Karachi. They made a bright start to the game after getting rid of Fakhar Zaman, their tormentor-in-chief in the previous two matches, in the ninth over of the match. But the home side found another hero in Imam-ul-Haq, who steadied the ship with a solid 108-run partnership with skipper Babar Azam.

While Babar departed after his second consecutive half-century in the series, Imam continued to milk runs from the other end before falling just ten runs short of a well-deserved century. While the visitors wrestled for momentum in the death overs, Shadab Khan's sizzling cameo helped the home side to a challenging total after their 50 overs.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Pakistan's much-awaited series victory against the visitors:

ICC@ICC

A valiant effort from New Zealand, but Pakistan take an unassailable lead in the series with third successive win 🙌 #PAKvNZ | bit.ly/PAKvNZ-3rd-ODI

11:57 PM · May 03, 2023

3.6K252

Farid Khan@_FaridKhan

Babar Azam becomes the first Pakistan captain to defeat New Zealand in an ODI series in 12 years 🙌 #PAKvNZ

11:57 PM · May 03, 2023

2.8K225

Pakistan Cricket@TheRealPCB

Series sealed 🙌 Victory achieved in the third ODI by 2️⃣6️⃣ runs as we extend the lead to 3️⃣-0️⃣ #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak

12:01 AM · May 04, 2023

3K276

King Babar Azam Army@kingbabararmy

Pakistan Won by 26 Runs and also Won the ODI Series under King Babar Azam Captaincy 👏🤩 #BabarAzam #BabarAzam𓃵 #PAKvNZ

11:57 PM · May 03, 2023

64133

Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏@SharyOfficial

Pakistan won ODI Series against New Zealand for the first time after 2011, and Babar Azam also became the First Pakistan captain to win the ODI Series against three SENA countries(Australia, South Africa and New Zealand). It’s Babar Azam Era, Alhamdulillah ♥️🇵🇰. #PakvNZ #NZvsPAK… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12:00 AM · May 04, 2023

37727

Pakistan Cricket@TheRealPCB

Top of off-stump...BANG 👊 @iNaseemShah does the damage! #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak

10:53 PM · May 03, 2023

4.1K333

Lahore Qalandars@lahoreqalandars

Pakistan Wins the Series in Style 🇵🇰⭐ #PAKvNZ

12:03 AM · May 04, 2023

98930

Multan Sultans@MultanSultans

Pakistan won the third ODI and the series. #PAKvNZ

11:57 PM · May 03, 2023

74531

Wisden@WisdenCricket

26-run win for Pakistan means they take an unassailable lead in the five-match ODI series 💪🇵🇰 #PAKvNZ

11:56 PM · May 03, 2023

23715

Pakistan Cricket@TheRealPCB

Direct hits aplenty! 💥 The fielders have been regularly targeting the stumps successfully today. #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak

10:46 PM · May 03, 2023

1.4K77

Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏@SharyOfficial

TOP CATCH FROM THE WASEEM JUNIOR🔥♥️. #PakvNZ #NZvPAK

11:45 PM · May 03, 2023

1247

Cricket Pakistan@cricketpakcompk

12-year wait is over! Pakistan triumphs in an ODI series against New Zealand with a stellar performance The Men in Green take an unassailable 3-0 lead against the Kiwis Scorecard: bit.ly/40UdCzb #PAKvNZ

12:05 AM · May 04, 2023

29114

Saeed Ajmal@REALsaeedajmal

CONGRATULATIONS Team Green on winning an ODI series against New Zealand 🇳🇿 After 12 Years👏🏼👏🏼 Great Match today Wonderful batting by Imam,Babar and Rizwan once again..followed By great bowling of Naseem ,Wasim jr and co. Next Target No 1 ODI team🎯 #PAKvNZ @TheRealPCB

12:18 AM · May 04, 2023

28212

Sohail Tanveer@sohailmalik614

Great series win for @TheRealPCB ahead of WC,well done to @babarazam258 & co

12:00 AM · May 04, 2023

59223