Sadia Iqbal and Aliya Riaz were the key players as Pakistan defeated New Zealand in a Super Over after the thrilling third ODI ended in a tie in Christchurch. With this victory, Pakistan prevented New Zealand from securing a series whitewash, as the first two games had been won by the hosts.

During Pakistan’s chase of 252, they looked like favorites for most of the match, but a late collapse meant they needed eight runs in the last over with just one wicket remaining. Lea Tahuhu bowled the final over well, but an unlucky four byes were conceded. With two runs needed off the last ball, Najiha Alvi managed to hit the ball to deep backward square, leveling the scores for Pakistan.

In the subsequent Super Over, Aliya Riaz, who played a crucial innings of 44 in Pakistan’s regular innings, started with a boundary off the outside edge against bowler Amelia Kerr. Although no more boundaries were scored, Pakistan reached a total of 11 runs in the Super Over

Amelia got out on the second ball in New Zealand’s Super Over innings, hitting Iqbal’s delivery straight to long-off. Sophie Devine hit a six over midwicket, reducing the required runs to four off the last two balls. However, she then skied a catch to long-on on the next delivery.

In the earlier part of the match, New Zealand chose to bat and, after losing their openers early, stabilized with 50-plus partnerships between Devine (29 runs in 32 balls) and Amelia, and later between Amelia and Maddy Green.

Ghulam Fatima bowled Kerr for a score of 77 off 87 balls, and although New Zealand lost some wickets quickly afterward, a 40-run partnership between Green (65 not out in 69) and Jess Kerr (19 in 15) helped them reach a total of 251.

During Pakistan’s chase, they started slowly and lost opener Muneeba Ali in the sixth over, dismissed lbw by Hanna Rowe with only 11 runs on the board. Sidra Ameen accelerated the scoring, making 20 off her next eight balls before Tahuhu removed her for a 22-ball 24.

Bismah Maroof and Riaz built a partnership of 101 runs for the third wicket, putting Pakistan in control of the chase. While Maroof reached her half-century, Riaz fell just short as Jess took a good return catch, breaking their partnership.

Fatima Sana, leading Pakistan in place of the injured Nida Dar, played a spirited innings to ensure Pakistan didn’t lose momentum after Riaz’s dismissal. Despite losing Bismah Maroof for 68 runs in 86 balls, Sana continued to attack the bowlers, supported by Natalia Pervaiz. Devine eventually caught Sana behind for a quick 36 off 33 balls, with Pakistan still 54 runs behind New Zealand.

Pervaiz and Najiha Alvi then added 31 runs in 28 balls, bringing Pakistan closer. However, the Kerr sisters combined to dismiss Pervaiz for a 26 off 23 balls, leaving Pakistan needing 23 more runs.

In the next over, Tahuhu caught Umm-e-Hani off her own bowling, and Amelia made crucial contributions, running out Nashra Sandhu and dismissing Iqbal for a golden duck in the penultimate over. However, Alvi, who remained unbeaten on 23 off 26 balls, stayed composed and guided Pakistan to a Super Over.