The ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand was tied after persistent rain forced the deciding match in Dubai on Sunday to be abandoned.

New Zealand were batting at 35-1 in chase of Pakistan’s 279-8 when the rain came pouring down. Following a long wait, the match was ultimately called off by the umpires with the series locked at 1-1.

On Sunday, the Blackcaps had to make do without the services of skipper Kane Williamson after he was ruled out with a groin strain while Imam-ul-Haq expectedly missed out for Pakistan after his head injury in the second ODI.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan’s innings was lifted by a second consecutive half-century from Fakhar Zaman who registered a 77-ball 65. It was the in-form Babar Azam who anchored the innings with a masterful 92 before he was dismissed by Trent Boult to fall agonisingly short of a century.

With the ball, youngster Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan the perfect start as he castled Colin Munro for a duck in the very first over.

The Blackcaps had won the first ODI by 47 runs before Pakistan had bounced back with a six-wicket win in the second.

“It’s a sort of disappointing end,” said Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. “But you can’t fight with nature, we were in a good position after a good total and then got a key wicket.

“We didn’t do well in the first game but overall we were the better side and had we won this match it would have been icing on the cake.”