Daily Times

DUBAI: The third and final ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai has been stopped due to rain.

Pakistan have posted a commanding target of 280 runs for the New Zealand in the series decider.

Fakhar Zaman who got Pakistan off to a decent start, just like he did in the last match scored 65 runs before losing his wicket to Grandhomme. Hafeez lost his wicket in an unusual manner when he was hit-wicket at just 19 runs.

Haris Sohail playing in replacement of opener Imam-ul-Haq scored a quick fifty and produced a big partnership for the third wicket with Babar Azam who caught out on 92 on the ball of Boult, put Pakistan in a strong position.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in series decider 3rd and final One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.

The series is level at 1-1 after New Zealand won the first match by 47 runs before Pakistan claimed the second by six wickets, both in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan left out opener Imam-ul-Haq as a precautionary measure after he was hit on the helmet by a rising delivery from Lockie Ferguson in the second match in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Imam had CT scans which were clear but the team management decided to rest him and bring in Haris Sohail. Imad Wasim makes way for Asif Ali.

New Zealand are without skipper Kane Williamson due to injury, with Tom Latham taking over the captaincy. BJ Watling replaces Williamson while Tim Southee makes way for pace bowler Matt Henry.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c),George Worker, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult