Scorecard for the match between the national cricket teams of Pakistan and New Zealand: Rising New Zealand bowler Ben Sears put on a career-defining performance in a high-stress ODI match against Pakistan, taking a remarkable five wickets to lead his side to a 43-run win.

New Zealand scored a fairly modest 265 in the match, which was cut short to 42 overs on each side because of a damp outfield.

As Pakistan started to gather steam, Sears charged in with fury and delivered vital hits. The tide was constantly swung in New Zealand’s advantage by his ability to create speed and strike the appropriate distances. He finished the innings with remarkable numbers of 9-0-34-5, a performance that blended aggressiveness, control, and game knowledge.

Earlier, in the rain-shortened third one-day international against Pakistan, New Zealand reached 264-8, batting first, with opener Rhys Mariu and Michael Bracewell scoring half-centuries and Daryl Mitchell surpassing 2,000 runs.

In his second ODI, Mariu made 58 off 61 balls and recorded his first half-century. In a contest cut short by a wet outfield to 42 overs each side, Mitchell scored 43 after New Zealand was put in to bat.

Mitchell ended with 2,041 runs from 52 games, averaging 49.7, after entering the game with 1,998 runs in one-day internationals.

Making 59 off 40 balls and assisting New Zealand in scoring 99 runs from the last 19 overs, captain Bracewell had a good finish.

For the third time in the three-match series, Pakistan won the toss and bowled first. In the first two games, which New Zealand won by 73 and 84 runs, the strategy failed.

A surface at Bay Oval that had been covered for two days due to rain was used for the first time by Pakistan on Saturday. The rain affected wet areas around the field, which resulted in a 90-minute delay in the start of play.