Agencies, Hamilton
Colin de Grandhomme smashed a quick-fire unbeaten half-century as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by five wickets in the fourth ODI to take a 4-0 lead in the five-match series at the Seddon Park here on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 263 runs to win, New Zealand openers Martin Guptill (31) and Colin Munro (56) provided the visitors with a perfect start as the duo shared an 88-run stand before the former was dismissed off Shadab Khan’s delivery.
Skipper Kane Williamson also scored notable 32-run knock before Henry Nicholls and de Grandhomme combined to help their side cross the mark.
De Grandhomme, who was playing for the first time for the national side since the sudden death of his father, aged 61, shone with the bat as he struck a blistering 45-ball 74, including seven boundaries and five sixes, besides sharing a huge 109-run stand with Nicholls (unbeaten at 52) to helps his side chase the target with 25 balls to spare.
For Pakistan, Shadab Khan bagged three wickets while Ruman Raees and Haris Sohail chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier, Tim Southee scalped three wickets while Kane Williamson (two wickets), Trent Boult (a wicket) and Mitchell Santner (a wicket) also contributed with the ball as New Zealand restricted Pakistan to 262 for eight in their stipulated 50 overs.
Fakhar Zaman (54), Haris Sohail (50), Mohammad Hafeez (81) and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (51) were notable contributors for the visitors.
De Grandhomme was declared `Man of the Match` for his brilliant contribution with the bat.
SCORE BOARD
Pakistan innings: Fakhar Zaman b Santner 54, Faheem Ashraf c Latham & b Southee 1, Babar Azam c Latham & b Southee 3, Haris Sohail c Henry Nicholls & b Williamson 50, Mohammad Hafeez runout (Boult) 81, Shoaib Malik c Santner & b Williamson 6, Sarfraz Ahmed (c) & (wk) c Guptill & b Boult 51, Hasan Ali c Guptill & b Southee 1, Shadab Khan not out 6. Extras: 9. Total: 262/8.
Bowling: Tim Southee 8-0-44-3, Trent Boult 10-0-73-1, Lockie Ferguson 6-0-32-0, Colin de Grandhomme 3-0-16-0, Kane Williamson (c) 10-0-32-2, Mitchell Santner 10-0-43-1, Colin Munro 3-0-20-0.
New Zealand innings: Martin Guptill c Hasan Ali & b Shadab Khan 31, Colin Munro c Hafeez & b Shadab Khan 56, Kane Williamson (c) c Raees & b Haris Sohail 32, Ross Taylor lbw Raees 1, Tom Latham (wk) c Babar Azam & b Shadab Khan 8, Henry Nicholls not out 52, Colin de Grandhomme not out 74. Extras: 9. Total: 263/5.
Bowling: Mohammad Amir 6-1-36-0, Hasan Ali 8.5-0-60-0, Faheem Ashraf 6-0-33-0, Rumman Raees 9-0-59-1, Shadab Khan 10-0-42-3, Haris Sohail 6-0-29-1.
