NZ vs PAK Power Failure | Floodlight Failure Halts Play, Kiwis Seal 3-0 Whitewash

Power Failure Halts New Zealand vs Pakistan 3rd ODI: Chaos and Darkness at Bay Oval

Summary
A bizarre power outage plunged the Bay Oval into darkness during the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand.
The incident occurred just as Jacob Duffy was about to deliver his ball, forcing play to come to an abrupt halt.
New Zealand eventually won the match by 43 runs, completing a 3-0 sweep in the ODI series.
Pakistan's batting once again faltered under pressure, despite a chaseable target of 265 in 42 overs.
The unusual interruption drew widespread reactions from fans, adding to a forgettable series for the visiting team.

???? Unusual blackout at Bay Oval during New Zealand vs Pakistan match!
Just as Jacob Duffy was about to bowl to Tayyab Tahir, the stadium lights went out, causing a brief halt in play. ????
Fans and commentators were left in surprise and amusement!
Luckily, the lights came back, and… pic.twitter.com/vhwipSM9NP

— Yash Bhimta (@BhimtaYash) April 5, 2025

Unexpected Blackout Interrupts 3rd ODI Between New Zealand and Pakistan

Mount Maunganui witnessed an unprecedented moment during the third ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan, not because of a stunning spell or a match-turning partnership, but due to a complete power failure that left the players and spectators quite literally in the dark.

In what has now become one of the most unusual moments of the 2025 cricketing calendar, the floodlights at Bay Oval shut down abruptly in the 39th over of Pakistan’s chase. With Jacob Duffy in the middle of his run-up and Tayyab Tahir on strike, everything came to a halt. The ball was never delivered. Instead, the stadium lights flickered out entirely, plunging the venue into a surreal blackness.

It wasn’t a subtle dimming of lights it was a total blackout, leading to concern for player safety, particularly because the delivery was moments away from release. The umpires quickly gathered, and both teams moved toward the dugouts, awaiting clarity. Thankfully, no player was injured and play resumed after a brief delay.

A Moment of Shock and Amusement for Fans and Players

The sight of two international teams standing mid-pitch in utter darkness made for surreal viewing. Social media lit up with memes and jokes, ranging from tongue-in-cheek comparisons to power cuts in suburban neighborhoods to jabs about "Pakistan pulling the plug" to avoid another collapse.

Broadcasters too were left scrambling. Some camera feeds switched to night vision, while commentators tried to add levity to the situation, joking about the "need to pay the electricity bill" and whether this was "the most literal form of game-stopping blackout in cricket."

But beyond the humor, it served as a reminder of how rare infrastructural mishaps have become in modern-day international cricket. It’s not often that a global ODI stops dead due to a basic utilities failure particularly at a venue like Bay Oval, which is among New Zealand’s premier cricket grounds.

New Zealand Complete Clinical Whitewash

Once the lights were restored and play resumed, the match returned to a familiar theme New Zealand domination and Pakistan’s batting collapse. Chasing a target of 265 in 42 overs after a rain delay earlier in the day, Pakistan were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs, handing the home side a 43-run win and a 3-0 series sweep.

Ben Sears was once again the chief destroyer, claiming 5 wickets and earning his second consecutive Player of the Match nomination. His sharp short-pitched bowling caused havoc for Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Combined with Jacob Duffy’s tight spells and Bracewell’s late flourish with the bat (59 off 40), New Zealand looked like a team operating in a different gear.

Pakistan, meanwhile, once again failed to adapt to the conditions. Despite half-centuries from Babar Azam (50) and a gritty 33 from Abdullah Shafique, their innings lacked the kind of partnerships needed to chase a moderate total on a surface that had settled post-rain. Their collapse from 169/5 to 221 all out told the story.

Series Snapshot: A Tour to Forget for Pakistan

This power outage was just one in a series of mishaps and disappointments for the Pakistan cricket team on this New Zealand tour. The T20I series was a one-sided affair, with the Kiwis winning 4-1. And in the ODIs, Pakistan never really looked in control.

Their batters, barring a few individual sparks, struggled to cope with seam and bounce. The bowlers couldn’t stem the flow of runs at the death. Fielding often the overlooked but game-defining element was average at best.

Meanwhile, New Zealand, even without many of their big-name players, operated like a well-oiled machine. Rhys Mariu, in just his second ODI, impressed again with a crisp 58. Captain Michael Bracewell, returning from injury, not only led the side well but contributed with the bat and ball across the series.

What Now for Pakistan?

The Black Caps’ dominance has left Pakistan’s team management with a number of questions. The series has laid bare the team’s overreliance on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs. While younger players like Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan were given opportunities, they failed to convert their chances into match-winning performances.

The upcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup loom large, and performances like these have thrown the team’s combinations and strategies into uncertainty. Calls for the return of senior players like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman are growing louder, as is the debate over Babar Azam’s role and leadership.

Light at the End of the Tunnel? Or More Darkness Ahead?

As play resumed after the floodlight debacle, the symbolism wasn’t lost on fans: Pakistan, just like the lights, flickered for a moment and then faded out. The team has plenty of talent, but unless the coaching setup can draw the best out of it consistently, the cycle of promise and disappointment may continue.

For New Zealand, the series was another stamp of their bench strength. They tested young players, rotated the squad wisely, and emerged with both results and future prospects looking positive.