New Zealand survived Mohammad Aamir’s explosive half-century to clinch the series against Pakistan with a narrow seven-run victory in the third one-day international in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Aamir, 17, hit an unbeaten 73 for his maiden half-century to bring Pakistan, chasing 212, close to an unexpected victory after they were 101-9.
Pakistan were bowled out for 204, giving New Zealand a 2-1 victory in the three-match series.
Aamir and Ajmal added a Pakistan record of 103 for the 10th wicket but, needing eight off the last over bowled by Jacob Oram, Ajmal holed out for 33 to end the match.
When Ajmal joined Aamir Pakistan needed 112 in 16.5 overs but after Aamir had hit Daniel Vettori for three sixes in one over, slowly, he and Ajmal approached the target, beating the previous 10th wicket partnership record by Pakistan in all one-day cricket of 72 by Abdul Razzaq and Waqar Younis against South Africa at Durban in 1998.
Aamir improved on his previous highest score of 24 made against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
In the end, New Zealand kept their nerves and did not spoil the early good work by bowlers that saw Pakistan slump to 101-9.
Earlier, off-spinner Ajmal took a career-best 4-33 to raise hopes of a Pakistan win, but Salman Butt (25), Khalid Latif (19), Umer Akmal (12) and Shoaib Malik (11) threw away their wickets.
Pakistan got off to a 47-run start before Vettori triggered a slump, trapping Latif leg-before in the ninth over.
Younus Khan continued his wretched form, edging Shane Bond to slip on three. Umer Akmal (12), Malik (11), Afridi (5) and Akmal (4) played reckless shots as Pakistan slumped.
Earlier Brendon McCullum stood out with an aggressive 78-ball 76.
New Zealand were well on course for a big score, but once McCullum was out, caught and bowled by Shoaib Malik, Pakistani spinners — led by Ajmal — sparked a middle-order collapse to take last seven wickets for 47 runs.
New Zealand had raced to 72 by the 12th over, with McCullum reaching his 50 off just 47 balls.
It was paceman Umar Gul who provided the breakthrough, removing opener Aaron Redmond for 21.
Ajmal then came into his own, removing Martin Guptill (8), Ross Taylor (44), Daniel Vettori (15) and Jacob Oram (2).
Ross Taylor helped McCullum add 50 for the third wicket before Ajmal trapped him leg-before.
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