Abu Dhabi, Nov. 10: New Zealand survived Mohammad Aamer’s explosive half-century to clinch the series against Pakistan with a narrow seven-run victory in the third one-day international here on Monday.

Aamer, 17, hit an unbeaten 73 for his maiden half-century — the highest score by a number ten batsman in a one-day international — 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 sensational 2-1 victory in the three-match series. Pakistan won the first match by 138 runs on Tuesday before New Zealand levelled the series with a 64-run win on Friday.

Aamer and Ajmal added a Pakistan record of 103 runs for the tenth wicket, but needing eight off the last over bowled by Jacob Oram, Ajmal holed out a sensational catch to Kyle Mills to end his career-best knock of 33. The previous highest one-day score for a number ten batsman was 56 not out made by Zimbabwe’s Douglas Marillier against India at New Delhi in 2002.

When Ajmal joined Aamer, Pakistan needed a mammoth 112 runs in 16.5 overs but Aamer set the tempo for an unexpected win by hitting Daniel Vettori for three sixes in one over.

Aamer, who hit seven boundaries and three sixes during his 81-ball knock, 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 which saw Pakistan slump from 47/1 to 101/9.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admitted Aamer gave them a scare.

"They played brilliantly for the last wicket, but we knew that its a matter of just one wicket," said Vettori.

— AFP