BLACKAPS secure historic series win over Pakistan

The BLACKCAPS’ seven-run victory over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi this morning (NZ time) has secured the side’s first ever away series win against Pakistan in one-day internationals.

The 2–1 series win in Abu Dhabi is the first time the BLACKCAPS have overcome Pakistan in a head-to-head series away from home.

Prior to today’s victory the two sides had played five ODI series in Pakistan since 1984/85 – all of them won by Pakistan. At home, New Zealand has won five series to one, with one drawn.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said the series win was a historic achievement for the BLACKCAPS.

“It has been a superb effort by the team to win the series,” said Vaughan. “And it’s all the more memorable for being our first series win over Pakistan away from home – our congratulations to Daniel and the team.

“The team played exceptionally well to come back so strongly after the first match, adjust to the conditions and maintain the pressure on the Pakistan side.

“It’s a good sign that the side is building strongly on their success in the Champions Trophy – and bodes well for the coming home series against Bangladesh and Australia this summer.”

BLACKCAPS captain Daniel Vettori hailed the series win as a huge morale boost for the side ahead of the Twenty20 matches in Dubai later in the week.

“For us to come over here and win as confidently as we did in the last two games is something I know a lot of the guys will cherish,” said Vettori.

“The wickets and the atmosphere are very similar to Pakistan – there’s a lot of support for Pakistan here and it’s like a Pakistan home game.

“The key thing is it’s a victory and no matter how you achieve it, it’s still a series win. And tour wins for New Zealand sides away from home – we don’t have that many.”

Vettori said despite the close finish he’d been confident of the side getting through – and was happy to toss the ball to Jacob Oram for the final over.

“I always backed us to get a wicket. I think when you only need one wicket you probably try a bit hard to get it. We backed Jacob to do it – he’s bowled the last over a few times for us and he’s done a really good job.”

Vettori also singled out the performances of player of the series Brendon McCullum, along with Tim Southee.

“Brendon played exceptionally well again – he’s probably the only batsman who made it look really easy in the last two games while everyone else struggled a bit.

“Tim Southee was outstanding for a guy who’s only played twenty-odd one-dayers.

“This shows the confidence of the team – there’s still quite a lot of young inexperienced players in there and some guys really stepped up today. They’ll take confidence from it and hopefully take it into the T20s as well.”

The BLACKCAPS now play Pakistan in a two-match Twenty20 series in Dubai, on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November (local time).