Hafeez, Afridi help Pakistan level series v NZ

WELLINGTON,  (Reuters) – Mohammad Hafeez scored his  first one-day century and Shahid Afridi blasted the  equal-fastest half century in New Zealand as Pakistan levelled  their one-day series against the hosts following a 43-run  victory at Lancaster Park yesterday.

New Zealand never really challenged Pakistan’s imposing 293  for seven, with Martin Guptill (39), Jamie How (24) Scott Styris  (46) and Kane Williamson (42) all getting starts but leaving too  many runs for the lower order to overhaul the total.

Pakistan’s innings had been held together by Hafeez (115),  who also shared a 94-run partnership with Misbah-ul-haq (35) and  52 runs with Umar Akmal (44).