Fifth one-day international, Hamilton:
Pakistan 268-9 (50 ovs) bt New Zealand 227 all out (46.5 ovs)
Match scorecard

Shehzad hit 12 boundaries on his way to 115 runs in Hamilton

Ahmed Shehzad's first one-day international century helped Pakistan to clinch their six-match one-day series with New Zealand.

Shehzad made 115 from 109 balls as Pakistan secured a 41-run win in the fifth one-day international.

Pakistan posted 268-9 in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat on a slow pitch in Hamilton.

Stand-in captain Ross Taylor top-scored for New Zealand with 69 as his side were dismissed for 227 in 46.5 overs.

Pakistan lead 3-1 with one match to play in the series, in Auckland on 5 February.

Pakistan lost the toss and, after being put in to bat, lost their first wicket for 20 runs, Mohammad Hafeez caught by Nathan McCullum off a Kyle Mills delivery in the seventh over.

We've had to wait a long time for Pakistan to win a series but it's come at the right time, just before the World Cup Shahid Afridi, Pakistan one-day captain

But they quickly recovered thanks to a 53-run stand between Kamran Akmal and Shehzad, who hit seven boundaries and a six to reach his maiden one-day 50.

After Akmal was run out off a direct hit, Shehzad mounted further stands with Younus Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq.

Shehzad reached his 100 with a six off Hamish Bennett and a single off Jacob Oram, before he was caught by James Franklin off a Scott Styris delivery.

New Zealand's immediate response was dismal, with opener Jesse Ryder run out at the non-striker's end off the very first delivery of the innings.

But opening partner Martin Guptill hit 65 off 70 balls, while Taylor attempted a rescue act with 69 in the middle overs.

However, Wahab Riaz claimed three wickets and Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul two apiece, finishing off New Zealand for 227 and securing the series for Pakistan.

"We've had to wait a long time for Pakistan to win a series but it's come at the right time, just before the World Cup," said Afridi, Pakistan's current one-day captain.

The one-day victory follows Pakistan's 1-0 triumph in the Test series in New Zealand in January.

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