Sharjah: New Zealand registered their second successive victory over Pakistan to take an unassailable lead in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

In the first match, New Zealand had scored an exciting 8-run win but won the second with an emphatic seven-wicket victory.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat but lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Ayesha Zafar fell for just two runs to Hannah Rowe. Javeria Khan was next to go, run out following a terrible mix-up with Nahida Khan for 10. Nahida and captain Bismah Maroof then went about repairing the innings from two down for 28 runs and put on 46 runs for the third wicket.

New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates got the crucial breakthrough in the 25th over by dismissing Nahida for 39.

Sidra Ameen, who came to the crease next, lasted just nine balls and managed to score only one before being clean bowled by Leigh Kasperek.

Rowe then trapped Maroof leg before for 36.

Five wickets down for 103 runs in 32.2 overs, Pakistan’s lower-middle order simply failed to rise to the challenge. Barring the exception of Sana Mir, who hit a fighting 31, none of the others could stay long enough at the wicket and Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 147 in 49.1 overs.

Off-spinner Amelia Kerr took three wickets for 35 runs, while Rowe and Kasperik finished with two wickets apiece.

New Zealand for their part got off to a brilliant start. Opener Sophie Devine, who had struck a fine century in the first match of the series, was in top form once again, scoring 62 runs off 48 balls with eight boundaries. Skipper Bates gave Devine solid company with 33 runs off 42 balls, striking four boundaries. Together they put on 80 runs in just 12.5 overs.

Sadia Yousuf gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope when she removed Bates but Devine and Amy Satterthwaite put on 45 runs for the second wicket before Javeria trapped Devine leg before. Javeria went on to clean bowl wicketkeeper Katey Martin for 8 but Maddy Green, with an unbeaten 10, and Satterthwaite took their team to the target without further damage.

Satterthwaite remained unbeaten on 25 and New Zealand pocketed the contest in just 24 overs.