New Zealand Avoid Pakistan Whitewash Despite Iftikhar Run Blitz

Henry Shipley and Rachin Ravindra shared six wickets as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 47 runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Karachi on Sunday. The victory meant New Zealand avoided being swept in the five game series, which Pakistan won 4-1. New Zealand batted first and were bowled out for 299 in 49.3 overs with half centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. Fast bowler Shipley then took 3-34 and spinner Ravindra a career best 3-65 as New Zealand survived a brilliant 72-ball 94 not out by Iftikhar Ahmed to dismiss Pakistan for 252 in 46.1 overs.

The defeat means Pakistan's rise to number one in the ODI rankings lasted just 48 hours and they are now third behind Australia and India.

"It's is certainly pleasing to put on a complete performance in the last game," said Latham.

"Shipley bowled fantastically well with the new ball, he found the right lengths on this wicket after we got a par score."

Ahmed led Pakistan's fightback from 66-4 as he added 97 for the fifth wicket with Agha Salman who scored run-a-ball 57 but New Zealand held their nerve to get last man Haris Rauf run out for one.

Ahmed's fiery knock contained eight fours and two sixes.

A holiday crowd of around 20,000 had come in anticipation of Babar Azam making his 100th ODI memorable but they were left disappointed when Pakistan skipper was caught off a miscued shot off Shipley for a five-ball one.

Before that opener Shan Masood had fallen for seven. Fakhar Zaman managed a laborious 64-ball 33 and Mohammad Rizwan fell for nine, leaving Pakistan struggling on 66-4.

"The way we planned, we couldn't finish it that way," said Azam.

"However, the entire series was outstanding. There were good performances. There were many positives, we were able to