New Zealand secured a commanding 43-run victory over Pakistan in the third and final ODI at Mount Maunganui on Saturday, completing a dominant 3-0 whitewash.
However, despite the result, an incident towards the end of the match took center stage and left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
Pakistan was on the brink of defeat, needing 47 runs from just 22 balls to chase down New Zealand’s target of 265 in the shortened 42-over game, with only two wickets remaining. Tayyab Tahir was the team’s last hope. Although he was struggling, batting at nearly a run-a-ball, his potential kept the faintest chance alive.
That hope quickly vanished when Jacob Duffy steamed in for the third delivery of the 39th over. Just as Duffy released the ball from around the wicket, a sudden power outage plunged the entire stadium into darkness for a few moments.
To make matters worse, Duffy had bowled a bouncer, and Tahir narrowly managed to avoid it by instinct, just getting his head out of the way in time.
This game keeps on giving 😭 pic.twitter.com/5Th8U37sRm
— psyf (@PsyfeR888) April 5, 2025
Twitter exploded with relief at Tahir’s narrow escape and blamed the Bay Oval for what could have been a potentially fatal accident.