New Zealand Clinches ODI Series Against Pakistan with Dominant Win at Seddon Park

New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to clinch the ODI series against Pakistan with an 84-run victory in the second match at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on April 2, 2025. The Black Caps, led by stand-in captain Michael Bracewell, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, thanks to a match-defining knock of 99 not out by wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay and a sensational five-wicket haul by pacer Ben Sears. This triumph continues Pakistan’s challenging tour of New Zealand, following a 4-1 T20I series loss earlier in the year, and underscores the hosts’ growing dominance in white-ball cricket.  

New Zealand Sets the Tone with Hay’s Heroics

The match began with Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan winning the toss and opting to bowl first under overcast skies at Seddon Park, hoping to exploit a green-tinged pitch. However, New Zealand’s openers, Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu, defied early conditions with a brisk 54-run stand. Kelly, in only his second ODI, smashed 31 off 23 balls, including four fours and two sixes, before edging Haris Rauf to Rizwan behind the stumps. Debutant Mariu contributed 18 off 25 balls, laying a solid foundation before falling to Mohammad Wasim Jr.  

The middle overs saw Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly spinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Akif Javed, claw back control. Daryl Mitchell (18) was stumped off Muqeem, and Henry Nicholls (22) fell to Javed, leaving New Zealand at 102/4 after 17 overs. Captain Michael Bracewell (17) and Muhammad Abbas (41) steadied the ship with a cautious 30-run partnership, but the innings was teetering at 132/5 when Mitch Hay walked in.  

Hay’s arrival marked a turning point. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, playing just his sixth ODI, combined patience and aggression to rescue New Zealand. Partnering with Abbas, he forged a vital 77-run stand off 80 balls, absorbing pressure before unleashing a late onslaught. After Abbas departed, Hay took charge, smashing 58 runs off his final 20 balls, including a jaw-dropping 22-run final over off Wasim (2/78). His unbeaten 99 off 78 balls—featuring seven fours and seven sixes—propelled New Zealand to a formidable 292/8. “I was just swinging for the hills,” Hay quipped post-match, downplaying his career-best knock that fell agonizingly short of a maiden ODI century.  

Chasing 293, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled early against New Zealand’s relentless pace attack. Will O’Rourke set the tone with a fiery opening spell, dismissing Abdullah Shafique (1) in the third over and troubling Rizwan with pace and bounce. Jacob Duffy struck next, removing Babar Azam (1) and Imam-ul-Haq (2), leaving Pakistan at 9/3 in the sixth over—a stark contrast to New Zealand’s 50/0 at the same stage. Ben Sears, in only his third ODI, then ripped through the middle order, claiming Salman Agha (9) and Rizwan (5) in his first over.  

At 32/5, Pakistan’s hopes seemed dashed, but Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah offered late resistance. Ashraf top-scored with a valiant 73 off 80 balls, while Naseem, a concussion substitute for Haris Rauf (who retired hurt after a bouncer from O’Rourke), blasted 51 off 44 balls, including four fours and four sixes. Their maiden ODI fifties lifted Pakistan past 200, but Sears returned to end the fightback, dismissing Ashraf and Naseem in quick succession. His figures of 5/59—his first ODI five-wicket haul—wrapped up Pakistan’s innings at 208 in 41.2 overs, sealing New Zealand’s 84-run win.  

Mitch Hay’s 99* was the backbone of New Zealand’s total, earning him the Player of the Match award. His ability to shift gears—from a stabilizing role alongside Abbas to a boundary-laden finish—highlighted his maturity beyond his years. Captain Bracewell praised Hay’s knock, saying, “The way Mitch batted was outstanding. It turned the game for us.” On the bowling front, Ben Sears’ fifer stole the show, supported by Duffy’s 3/35 and O’Rourke’s early breakthroughs (1/8 in six overs). For Pakistan, Muqeem’s 2/33 stood out in a lackluster bowling effort, while Ashraf and Naseem’s fifties were silver linings in a batting collapse.  

The victory at Seddon Park further solidified New Zealand’s stellar record at the venue, where they now boast a 25-7 win-loss ratio in ODIs. The pitch, known for offering early assistance to seamers before favoring batsmen, played to the hosts’ strengths. Pakistan’s decision to bowl first backfired as their bowlers failed to capitalize beyond the powerplay, leaking runs in the death overs. Historically, teams chasing have won 23 of 40 ODIs at Hamilton, but Pakistan’s top-order implosion left them with no chance to exploit this trend.  

New Zealand’s series-clinching win follows their 73-run victory in the first ODI at Napier, where Mark Chapman’s 132 powered them to 344/9. Pakistan’s tour, already marred by a 4-1 T20I series defeat, has exposed their struggles against a depleted New Zealand side missing IPL 2025-bound stars like Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. Rizwan admitted the batting unit’s failure, stating, “We didn’t utilize the swing early on. It’s challenging conditions, but we can’t make excuses as professionals.” With one match remaining on April 5 at Mount Maunganui, Pakistan will play for pride, while New Zealand aim for a 3-0 whitewash.  

For New Zealand, this series win caps a successful home summer, reinforcing their depth despite a relatively inexperienced squad. Hay’s emergence as a reliable finisher and Sears’ bowling prowess signal a bright future. Bracewell, standing in for Mitchell Santner, has led with aplomb, allowing players to express their natural game—a testament to the strength of New Zealand’s domestic cricket, as he noted post-match.  

Pakistan, meanwhile, face a reality check. After a winless Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and now this ODI series loss, their white-ball setup appears in disarray. The absence of key players hasn’t helped, but the inability to adapt to New Zealand’s conditions—pace, bounce, and disciplined bowling—has been glaring. Rizwan’s side must regroup quickly to avoid a clean sweep and salvage some momentum ahead of future assignments.  

New Zealand’s 84-run triumph at Seddon Park on April 2, 2025, was a masterclass in resilience and execution, driven by Mitch Hay’s near-century and Ben Sears’ five-for. As Pakistan’s tour woes deepen, the Black Caps stand tall, poised to end their home summer on a high. The third ODI looms, but for now, New Zealand celebrates a well-earned series win that cements their white-ball supremacy. Cricket enthusiasts won’t want to miss the finale—stay tuned for more action!