Pakistan cricket can't seem to catch a break. After the monumental fiasco of the Champions Trophy that it hosted, the team is on a tour to New Zealand.

In the T20 series, prior to the ongoing ODI matches, Pakistan blooded relative newcomers and fresh talents in the hope they would come good. But alas, it unflatteringly lost the series 4-1. For the one-day leg of the trip, some of the seniors are back. Yet, the team continues to struggle. It lost the first match comprehensively at Mclean Park at Napier by 73 runs on March 29.

And today at Seddon Park Hamilton, the story was no different. Put in to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 292/8 in 50 overs. The wk-batsman Mitchell Hay was the standout, scoring an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls, including 22 runs in the final over. He struck seven fours and as many sixes in his 78-ball innings after going into the middle with the hosts struggling at 132-5 in the 27th over.

There were handy contributions from Nick Kelly (31) and Henry Nicholls (41). Sufiyan Muqeem (2/29) and Mohammad Wasim Jr. (1/15) bowled economical spells, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain New Zealand's middle-order surge.

In reply, Pakistan never really got going early, losing key wickets within the first 10 overs. Faheem Ashraf (73) and Naseem Shah (51) provided some resistance with a 60-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but the team was bowled out for 208 in 41.2 overs.

Ben Sears, on his ODI debut, delivered a stellar performance, taking 5/59. Jacob Duffy (3/35) and Will O'Rourke (1/19) supported him effectively.

Overall, it was less a contest, more an easy outing for the Kiwis who are without their top stars, many of whom are doing duty in the IPL.

The final ODI is scheduled for Saturday at Mount Maunganui.