Hay's explosive 99 and fiery bowling lead New Zealand to 84-run victory over Pakistan

Mitch Hay's exhilarating 99 not out, supported by some fiery seam bowling, guided New Zealand to an 84-run victory over Pakistan on Wednesday, giving them an unassailable lead in their one-day international series.

New Zealand posted a total of 292-8 before bowling Pakistan out for 208 in the 42nd over in Hamilton, in the second of three ODIs.

Hay's aggressive batting helped New Zealand recover from a mid-innings slump, as he raced to a career-best score that included 22 runs off the final over bowled by Mohammad Wasim. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed seven fours and as many sixes in his 78-ball innings, having come to the crease with New Zealand struggling at 132-5 in the 27th over.

In response, Pakistan were in early trouble as Will O'Rourke had Abdullah Shafique (one) caught at first slip in the third over, and in the next over, Babar Azam (one) was dismissed in similar fashion off Jacob Duffy. Duffy struck again in his next over, removing Imam-ul-Haq, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 9-3 by the sixth over, while New Zealand were sitting comfortably at 50-0 at the same stage.

Ben Sears then entered the attack, taking two wickets in his first over—removing Salman Agha for nine and Mohammad Rizwan for five. A combination of poor shot selection and some aggressive seam bowling saw Pakistan slump to 32-5 after 12 overs.

Tayyab Tahir (13) and Faheem Ashraf managed to add 33 for the sixth wicket, and when Haris Rauf retired hurt on three, his concussion replacement Naseem Shah contributed with a 60-run partnership with Ashraf. Both players scored maiden half-centuries, with Ashraf making 73 off 80 deliveries and Naseem 51 off 44.

Sears was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 5-59.

Pakistan captain Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl, with overcast skies and a green-tinted wicket providing a favourable environment for the bowlers.

New Zealand's rookie openers, Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu, took control early, putting on 54 runs before Kelly, in only his second international match, was caught behind for a rapid 31, including four fours and two sixes. Debutant Mariu soon followed for 18 off 25, caught by Azam off Wasim's delivery.

Wasim and Rauf slowed the scoring, and it took Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell until the 16th over to take New Zealand past the 100-run mark. The introduction of spin brought an end to Mitchell's innings for 18, as he was stumped by Rizwan off Sufyan Moqim. Nicholls fell for 22 in the next over.

Michael Bracewell and Muhammad Abbas could only add 30 runs in the next 10 overs before Bracewell was caught behind off Wasim for 17.

Pakistan-born Abbas and Hay steadied the ship with a 77-run partnership until Abbas was dismissed for 41.

Moqim was Pakistan's best bowler, claiming 2-33, while Wasim took 2-78.

The third and final match of the series will take place in Mount Maunganui on Friday.