The Black Caps are sweating on the fitness of Ross Taylor, who retired hurt while batting in the Twenty20 series-sealing win over Pakistan in Wellington.
Ross Taylor hunches over injured during the Twenty20 match between the Black Caps and Pakistan in Wellington Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 95-run victory handed the Black Caps a 2-1 series triumph.
Taylor had an MRI scan on Saturday morning on the side strain he suffered and said he had his "fingers crossed" the injury wasn't serious.
Man of the match Corey Anderson limped off the field while bowling, but the all-rounder later revealed it was just a bout of bad cramps.
It was Anderson's all-round show that helped New Zealand thump Pakistan and bag the three-match series 2-1.
The left-hander punished the touring side with an unbeaten 82 from 42 balls to power the hosts to 196 for five wickets in their 20 overs, after Pakistan won the toss at Westpac Stadium, and opted to field.
Pakistan were left to rue their decision as Martin Guptill and captain Kane Williamson gave New Zealand a rollicking start with an opening stand of 57 runs.
Anderson smashed six boundaries and four sixes in his knock and added 80 for the fourth wicket with fellow all-rounder Grant Elliott (19) to take his side to a daunting total.
Pakistan never managed to get their chase on track and were reduced to 15-3 within the third over and finally folded for 101 in the 17th.
Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (41) showed some resistance but other than Shoaib Malik, who made 14, none of Pakistan's batsmen notched double figures.
Fast bowler Adam Milne and Elliott picked up three wickets each while Anderson also pitched in with two before he left the field due to cramps.
The two sides now turn their attention the three-match one-day series which starts at the Basin Reserve on Monday.
-RNZ, Reuters
