Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam hit half-centuries to guide Pakistan to a 26 run victory over New Zealand in the third one-day international in Karachi.

After New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl on the slow-moving National Stadium pitch, Haq scored 90 off 107 balls for his 16th half-century, and Azam made 54 off 62 balls for his 26th half-century.

Fakhar Zaman, the in-form opener, was caught off Matt Henry for 19 as New Zealand got off to a good start despite being down 2-0 after losing the first two matches in Rawalpindi by five and seven wickets, respectively.

Zaman, who had scored three consecutive hundreds in one-day internationals, fell with the innings in good shape, and it was up to Haq and Azam, who put on 108 runs for the second wicket, to keep things steady.

Before Azam chopped one onto his stumps from Henry, he hit three fours and a six.

Haq was bowled by pacer Adam Milne in the 38th over after hitting seven fours and a six.

Even though Abdullah Shafique once again faltered, scoring only 19, Agha Salman (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (32) added 54 runs for the fifth wicket to boost the score.

Mohammad Nawaz contributed 11 runs, and Shadab Khan 21 not out, in the final overs.

Henry, New Zealand’s best bowler, took 3-54.