15 Dec 2009

New Zealand denied rare series win

6:54 pm on 15 December 2009

The New Zealand cricketers have been denied a rare series win by the rain, left stranded on 90 for none needing 208 to beat Pakistan in the third and final test in Napier.

Having dismissed Pakistan for 455 in their second innings, New Zealand had 43 overs to reach their target and BJ Watling, who made 60, and Tim McIntosh with 23 appeared to have New Zealand on course for a win.

But the rain arrived just after 5.30pm with 24 overs still to be bowled and the match was called off an hour later.

Skipper Dan Vettori says it was a disappointing end to a match they'd dominated.

Vettori, who scored a century in the first innings was named man of the match.

The series ends in a draw after New Zealand won the first match in Dunedin and Pakistan the second in Wellington.