By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

The final ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, wasn’t just about cricket—it had bouncers, boundaries, slogans and some unexpected off-the-field heat. It was not less than a drama straight out of a reality TV script. While fans came expecting wickets, they got a little ringside WWE entertainment as Khushdil Shah nearly turned Bay Oval into Bay Brawl. Later, he was dragged away by security after a heated clash with spectators.

It all started when a few spectators—believed to be Afghan nationals—decided to heckle the Pakistan players with some anti-Pakistan slogans and abusive language in Pashto.

Khushdil Shah, clearly not in the mood to let it slide, walked up to the boundary like “Excuse me, what did you say about my team?” And boom, things got heated faster than a PSL vs IPL Twitter debate.

Soon, security had to step in like, “Sir, this is a cricket match, not a cage fight.” One fan was even seen holding back the visibly agitated Khushdil, who may or may not have considered launching a cricket bat into the stands.

PCB condemnation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t take the incident lightly. In a statement, the board condemned the abusive language and confirmed that players were subjected to offensive remarks from spectators.

“Foreign spectators hurled inappropriate remarks at cricketers on the field. When anti-Pakistan slogans emerged, Khushdil Shah intervened and urged restraint. In response, the crowd escalated the situation with more abuse in Pashto,” the PCB said in a statement.

Following a formal complaint by the team, stadium officials ejected the two disruptive spectators from the venue.

What happened in the actual match?

Oh yes, remember the cricket part?

Ben Sears delivered another lethal spell to help New Zealand whitewash Pakistan 3-0. The pacer took his second five-wicket haul in a row and became the first Kiwi ever to do so. Move over Shane Bond — there’s a new bad boy in town.

Pakistan, chasing 265 in a 42-over game, had a decent start before Imam-ul-Haq got hit in the jaw and had to retire hurt. After that, it was mostly Babar Azam vs. New Zealand. Spoiler: New Zealand won.

Babar fought valiantly with a classy fifty, but once Daryl Mitchell and Jacob Duffy got going, wickets started falling like dominos. In the end, Pakistan folded for 221, and New Zealand celebrated with a clean sweep and probably some sheep jokes.

New Zealand completed a dominant 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan in the ODI leg of their white-ball tour, thanks to historic performances from Ben Sears and Daryl Mitchell, who etched their names into the record books during the third ODI at Mount Maunganui on Saturday, April 5.

Sears’ sensational spell stuns Pakistan again

Pacer Ben Sears produced another fiery display, bagging his second consecutive five-wicket haul in the series—making him the first New Zealand player to achieve back-to-back fifers in ODI cricket. Not even Kiwi pace greats like Shane Bond or spin wizard Daniel Vettori have managed this feat, making Sears’ performance truly one for the ages.

The 26-year-old seamer’s remarkable consistency earned him the Player of the Series award, underlining his emergence as a key asset in New Zealand’s bowling arsenal.

Mitchell becomes fastest Kiwi to 2000 ODI runs

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell also joined the history books with the bat. His 43-run knock not only steadied the innings but helped him breach the 2000-run milestone in ODIs. He achieved the feat in just 47 innings, becoming the fastest New Zealander to reach the mark.

Mitchell surpassed the previous Kiwi record held by Andrew Jones, who took 52 innings back in 1991. Former captain Kane Williamson is now third on the list, having reached the milestone in 54 innings. Globally, Mitchell is now joint-eighth fastest overall, in a list topped by India’s Shubman Gill (38 innings).

The third ODI, reduced to 42 overs per side due to a wet outfield, saw New Zealand post 264/8 after being put in to bat. Debutant Rhys Mariu notched up his maiden half-century, while Mitchell, Tim Seifert, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with vital contributions during the middle and death overs.

Pakistan began their chase with promise as Abdullah Shafique and skipper Babar Azam added early stability. Babar reached yet another half-century, keeping the visitors in contention. However, the tide turned quickly as wickets fell under scoreboard pressure, especially after the asking rate climbed above 10 runs per over.

Imam-ul-Haq, who suffered a facial injury in the previous match, was substituted with Usman Khan, but the latter failed to leave a mark. Pakistan eventually crumbled to 221 all out, losing the match by 43 runs and conceding a clean sweep.

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

In a bizarre yet IPL-historic moment, Mumbai Indians’ batter Tilak Varma walked off the pitch mid-innings during a tense chase against LSG. As MI needed 24 runs off 7 balls, Tilak, batting on 25 off 23 balls, casually retired out and made way for Mitchell Santner. The decision sparked conversation across cricket circles, as Tilak struggled to accelerate at a critical juncture.

This made Tilak only the fourth batter in IPL history to voluntarily exit stage left, and left fans wondering whether he had dinner plans or just didn’t want to deal with Digvesh Rathi.

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has broken his silence on Tilak Varma’s rare ‘retired out’ decision, calling it an obvious and tactical move made in the dying stages of the run chase. Speaking after the game, Pandya said, “It was obvious (on Tilak being retired out). We needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come. When you try but it doesn’t come off.”

Despite Pandya’s maiden T20 five-wicket haul, MI fell short by 12 runs, marking their third loss in four games.

While the retired out decision made headlines, Hardik, showcasing his leadership, didn’t blame anyone—except everyone. The MI skipper took responsibility for the broader batting collapse, highlighting the collective failure of the team’s top and middle order. “We win as a team. We lose as a team. Don’t want to point someone out. The ownership has to be taken by the whole batting unit. I take full ownership,” he said.

Rathi’s economical spell ruins MI’s party,

One of the biggest challenges for MI’s batters was the disciplined bowling from LSG’s young leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi. The spinner gave away only 21 runs in his four overs and dismissed the in-form Naman Dhir for 46, playing a key role in restricting MI during the middle overs.

Hardik’s fifer in vain as MI struggles continue

Despite delivering his best T20 figures, Pandya’s five-wicket haul couldn’t prevent defeat. Reflecting on his bowling, he said, “I have always enjoyed my bowling. I try to read the wicket and try some smart options. I don’t try to go for wickets. I try to bowl dot balls and let the batters take risks.”

Looking ahead, Pandya stressed the importance of smarter decision-making across departments. “Just play good cricket. I like to keep it simple. Take better calls. Be smart in bowling. Take chances in batting. Play simple cricket with some aggression. As it is a long tournament, couple of wins and we might get into the rhythm.”