Pakistan in a fight to keep series alive

Dunedin: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has called on his bowlers to be more accurate in the final overs as they look to take an unbeatable lead over Pakistan in the third one-day international in Dunedin on Saturday.

New Zealand are already 2-0 in the five-match series but Williamson is not completely happy, especially with the bowling to lower-order batsmen.

Pakistan rocketed from 141 for seven in the 37th over to make 246 for nine in game two, repeating a pattern that has been all too common in recent seasons where New Zealand have let the score get away on them after a solid start.

Despite the big hitting, particularly by Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan who both made half centuries, New Zealand won the match in Nelson by eight wickets after the rain swept in. The hosts were set a revised target of 151 in 25 overs.

The first match in Wellington, which New Zealand won by 61 runs, was also affected by the weather and further rain is forecast for game three in Dunedin on Saturday.

If a result is achieved, a win would not only give them New Zealand the series but they would also equal their longest streak across all formats of 10 wins.

New Zealand have Colin de Grandhomme back in their squad after the allrounder returned from bereavement leave, but Williamson said they would wait to view the pitch Saturday morning before settling on their playing XI.

Fakhar Zaman, who scored an unbeaten 82 in the opening game, is expected to return to the Pakistan side after missing game two because of a thigh injury.

Teams from

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (Capt.), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Matt Henry

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt. & wk), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Haris Sohail, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Yamin

Pitch and conditions
The University Oval has one of the slower pitches in New Zealand, so the spinners may look to make an impression. Although rain is unlikely.

Stats and trivia

• Victory for New Zealand would stretch their streak to ten matches across formats, matching their longest winning sequence. They have done it twice, both since 2015.
• New Zealand have won the last eight one-day meetings between these two sides, the best run by either side.

Match facts
Saturday January 1, 2018
Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT -1 day)