4 Feb 2011

Pakistan seal one day series in Hamilton

5:54 am on 4 February 2011

Pakistan have an unassailable 3-1 lead in their one day cricket series against the Black Caps after a 41-run win in game five last night in Hamilton.

Pakistan's 268 for 9 was built around a run-a-ball maiden century by their 19 year old opening batsman Ahmed Shezhad, but the Black Caps looked well set to win the match and take the series to a decider when Ross Taylor and James Franklin were batting together in the 42nd over.

But they were both dismissed in the space of four balls, and the innings folded for 227.

Martin Guptill with 65 and stand-in captain Ross Taylor 69 posted the only scores of substance.

It's Pakistan's first one-day series win since 2008, while the Black Caps have now lost 14 of their last 15 completed one-day internationals.

The final match is in Auckland tomorrow.