Shoaib Malik powers Pakistan to easy win

Makeshift opener Shoaib Malik hit a sparkling hundred as Pakistan easily beat New Zealand by 66 runs in the third and final one-day international at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

The 20-year-old recorded a career-best 115 as Pakistan made 278 for five in their 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 212 in 44.5 overs.

The victory completed a 3-0 series sweep for Pakistan.

Malik hit 12 fours during his 197-minute stay at the crease and faced 142 balls before being caught at deep square leg by Ian Butler off Andre Adams. He left Pakistan solidly placed at 250 from 47.1 overs with an innings likely to boost his chances of filling the opening slot on a more full-time basis.

Yousuf Youhana chipped in with a useful 53 while debutant Misbahul Haq made 28 and Abdul Razzaq hit a punishing 22 off 11 balls.

Pakistan, having already pocketed the series with wins in Karachi and Rawalpindi, decided to bat after winning the toss on a placid track before a crowd of 20,000.

Afridi and Malik had put on a brisk 26 by the sixth over when Afridi miscued a pull off Adams and was caught at mid-on by Matthew Horne for 18.

Malik found an able ally in Yousuf Youhana and both carried Pakistan past the 100 mark in the 20th over.

Youhana, dropped at 28 off Harris, reached his 18th limited-overs half century off just 46 balls, hitting five fours and two towering sixes, but fell three runs later when he was caught-and-bowled by Brooke Walker.

Inzamam-ul Haq lent valuable support to Malik and added 72 runs for the third wicket off 80 balls before spooning a catch in the deep off Walker to leave Pakistan at 191 for three in the 37th over. Haq made 35 with a four and six.

The home team made three changes after keeping the same combination in their last seven games, leaving out experienced pace bowler Wasim Akram, off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and opener Imran Nazir.

In came Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami and Misbah, who made his debut at 26 years of age.

New Zealand brought in Chris Harris and Butler to replace Jacob Oram and Robbie Hart. Oram became the Kiwis' latest injury victim when a leg strain forced him to return home last night.

The tourists had lost opener Nathan Astle on Wednesday and have been suffering without their top allrounder Chris Cairns, who did not make the tour due to injury.

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