New Zealand took nine wickets in a dramatic last session to seal a 2-0 series whitewash as Pakistan’s cricket team collapsed against the second new ball to slump to a 138-run defeat at the Seddon Park.

When the final session began, the draw seemed the likeliest result by far, and a New Zealand win perhaps less likely than a Pakistan win.

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With a minimum of 34 overs left, Pakistan needed 211, with nine wickets in hand. Those nine wickets fell in the space of 24.3 overs, the last six to the second new ball in the space of 11 overs.

Pakistan had chased down two 300-plus targets in the last two years, both times against Sri Lanka — 302 in two sessions in Sharjah, and 377 in Pallekele. But here on Tuesday, chasing 369, Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam added 131 for the first wicket in 60 overs to set them a platform for a similar finish.

But that was not to be as Neil Wagner polished off the tail quickly after Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee did the work at the top.

Sami Aslam did his cause a world of good with a fighting 91 runs with Azhar Ali also chipping in with 58. But once those two fell, it was downhill for the visitors.

Brief scores: New Zealand 271 & 313 beat Pakistan 216 & 230 all out (Sami Aslam 91, Azhar Ali 58; Neil Wagner 3/57) by 138 runs.

IANS

A visit to the Hobbiton set here — a significant location used for “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy and “The Hobbit” film series — has left Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra with a wish to be part of a fictional fantasy film which he could shoot at the lush green spot.

The 31-year-old ambassador of Tourism New Zealand said he is a fan of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and seeing the set for real gave him goosebumps.

“Hobbiton was a dream come true for me. Aragorn is my favourite character from the ‘Lord of The Rings’ films, and just seeing the sets here, gave me goosebumps. Another thing to add to a wish list — doing a fictional fantasy film,” Sidharth told IANS.

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The actor took a stroll around the set, which is dotted with colourful doors seen as Hobbits’ homes in the movies. Sidharth even met some people dressed in costumes based on the film.

The actor also got to meet world-famous rugby player and former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and had a “major fan moment” when he got a chance to spend some time with him.

Since retiring from rugby, McCaw has followed his other passion flying and is now a helicopter pilot with Christchurch Helicopters. He treated Sidharth to an afternoon of adventure in his helicopter.

“First meeting Stephen Fleming, the great former New Zealand cricket captain, and now I have met Richie McCaw, the best rugby player ever. Can this get any better? I feel like the luckiest guy,” the actor said after his meeting with him.

As part of his ongoing New Zealand trip, Sidharth also got some time to indulge in adventure activities as he visited the Skyline Rotorua where he experienced a deja vu moment as he was reminded of his childhood when he used to visit theme parks with his parents.

“Heading up the gondola at Skyline Rotorua was great. The best part though was riding down on the luge, it was a super fun ride zipping around. It feels like an awesome playground for such activities,” said the actor, who is now in Auckland.

In Rotorua, he also tried some zip lining in a native forest, where he enjoyed being amid natural surroundings. He even learnt about conservation efforts.

IANS