RAWALPINDI, 8 December 2003 — Pakistan completed a clean sweep of the five-match one-day series against New Zealand yesterday with a 49 runs-win in the final match.

It was the eighth time Pakistan have recorded a clean sweep in a one-day series at home and their second of the home season after a 5-0 defeat of Bangladesh in September.

The foundation yesterday was laid by openers Yasir Hameed (127 not out) and Imran Farhat (107) who put on 197 to set Pakistan on their way to an imposing total of 277 for four.

It was a record fourth time in a row the two men had posted century opening partnerships and the stand also beat Pakistan’s previous highest ever against New Zealand of 194.

The left-handed Farhat’s maiden one-day century featured 12 fours and a six. Hameed’s runs came from 154 balls, with nine fours and one six.

The 21-year-old Farhat, since returning to the Pakistan team after a year on the sidelines, has figured in seven century opening stands in his last nine innings in Tests and one-dayers.

Although Hamish Marshall scored his third half century of the series (62 not out), the Kiwis were never able to chase the target once openers Craig Cumming and Richard Jones struggled to bring up 50 in the first 15 overs.

Three unnecessary run-outs in the innings did not help their cause, either.

By the time captain Chris Cairns came out to bat in the 36th over his team were struggling on 141 for three and in the last 10 overs they required 118 for an unlikely win.

Marshall and Tama Canning (23 not out) restored some pride by adding 49 undefeated runs in the last seven overs.

It Was Correct to Send Black Caps to Pakistan, Says Cairns

New Zealand captain Chris Cairns said yesterday that team chiefs had made the right decision by sending the Black Caps to Pakistan despite security fears.

Speaking at the end of five one-day series that his side lost 5-0, he said the tour had been a success despite early fears for the players’ safety in the strife-torn country.

“I can only speak from my experience and that’s been very good. It was a correct decision to send us and I hope that other teams follow because it was good that cricket was played in Pakistan,” Cairns said.

The tour was delayed by a week after four of New Zealand’s players — Craig McMillan, Scot Styris, Ian Butler and Lou Vincent — pulled out after they received death threats if they toured Pakistan.