Third ODI: Pakistan set New Zealand 280-run target

Winner of this encounter will secure the three-match ODI series

Pakistan have set New Zealand a target of 280 runs in the third and final ODI of the series.

Babar Azam top-scored with 92 runs off 100 balls while Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman notched up half-centuries to help Pakistan post a daunting total on the board.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez (19) and, in particular, Zaman provided Pakistan with a good start of 64 runs, after Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bat first.

Zaman backed up his innings of 88 runs in the second ODI with another solid performance at the top of the order. He scored 65 runs off 77 balls.

After the Pakistan openers were back in the hut, middle-order batsmen Azam and Sohail stitched a brilliant 108-run partnership for the third wicket to put the team in a commanding position.

Sohail was dismissed after a brisk innings of 60 runs off just 59 deliveries. His innings included six fours and two sixes.

Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with figures of five for 45 in his full quota of ten overs. Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult and Matt Henry bagged one wicket each.