Pakistan 278 for 5 (Malik 115, Youhana 53) beat New Zealand 212 (Harris 37, Malik 3 for 37) by 66 runs
scorecard

Shoaib Malik had an excellent day at the office as Pakistan stormed to a 3-0 series victory by thumping New Zealand by 66 runs at Lahore. Malik called the shots almost single-handedly, following up a scintillating 115 with a tight spell of 3 for 37.

Waqar Younis won a good toss on a placid Gaddafi Stadium wicket, and had no hesitation in electing to bat. New Zealand had to take the field in torrid conditions, but that was just the start of their problems: their bowlers were at the receiving end of a tremendous Pakistani onslaught, and were left to chase a target of 279.

They struggled from the start, as Chris Nevin and Matthew Horne were worked over by Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar uprooting Nevin's off stump with a quick outswinger. Horne made 28 before he missed a quicker one from Abdur Razzaq and was bowled.

After the big wicket of Craig McMillan (38) went to Mohammad Sami, Malik took over. He bowled Stephen Fleming behind his legs, and proceeded to strangle the New Zealand innings along with Shahid Afridi. Afridi did for Lou Vincent, and Malik completed his day's work by snaring Scott Styris and Andre Adams.

A couple of casual run-outs were to follow, before Sami completed the last rites, trapping Chris Harris in front.

Earlier, the Pakistani openers had initially been kept in check by some good line-and-length bowling by Adams and Daryl Tuffey. Afridi soon lost patience, pulling a good-length delivery from Adams to Horne at mid-on.

Yousuf Youhana and Malik then put together a steady partnership. Youhana had one huge six off Scott Styris and a couple of glorious cover-drives in his knock of 53, which ended when he was done in the flight by legspinner Brooke Walker and spooned a return catch.

That brought Inzamam-ul-Haq to the crease, and he played a delightful cameo of 35 runs off 39 balls, including a massive six off Harris. He eventually holed out at long-on, again off Walker.

Malik brought up his century soon after, from 130 balls, but fell when he smacked Adams into the hands of Ian Butler at deep midwicket. The debutant Misbah-ul-Haq followed soon after, trying a lofted drive off Tuffey, only to give a simple catch to Butler at long-off. He made a confident 28 (262 for 5).

But this was Shoaib Malik's day, and a second century in three games gave another hint of his prodigious talent. Pakistan have now won 19 of their last 25 one-day matches and look in great shape ahead of the World Cup. New Zealand, by contrast, have been decimated by injury and will have to regroup if they are to avoid another thrashing in the Tests.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd