Pakistan create history in Auckland

Pakistan have created a unique slice of history in the final match of their tour of New Zealand, becoming the first side in international cricket to include four left-arm frontline fast-bowlers in the same side.

In a sign of perhaps what Australia can expect to encounter when Pakistan tour next summer, the tourists included left-armers Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Amir in their XI for the third one-day international against the Black Caps in Auckland.

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The quartet was unable to prevent a tense three-wicket defeat, which consigned them to a 2-0 series loss, with the hosts scraping home with two balls to spare. The Black Caps won the three-match T20 series 2-1 earlier this month.

Amir, in his first international ODI series since being banned for spot-fixing in 2010, was the standout performer at the tiny Eden Park on Sunday, finishing with 2-39 from his nine overs.

While Pakistan would be no doubt disappointed with results on this tour, they have proven they have a deep resource of quicks to call on for when they tour New Zealand and Australia next summer.

They are scheduled to play two Tests against the Black Caps and then three Tests and six ODIs against the Aussies, although the full itinerary and tour schedule is yet to be confirmed.

Amir showed signs during this series that he has lost none of the ability that made him one of the best young quicks in the world at the time his career was halted by the Lord's spot-fixing scandal five-and-half years ago.

Still just 23, Amir picked up 3-28 in the first ODI in Wellington and troubled the home side in Auckland, removing captain Brendon McCullum for a first-ball duck and troubling Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson during an incisive opening spell.

Australian audiences will remember Riaz well; his spell during the World Cup quarter-final against Australia at the Adelaide Oval last summer was one of the highlights of the tournament.

Irfan, who at 215cm is acknowledged as the tallest player to have ever played international or first-class cricket, also performed strongly in the World Cup but has battled injuries throughout his career.

Rahat is the less well-known of the quartet, but some of Australia's batsmen will remember him well; he took four wickets in a supporting role for Pakistan's potent spinners during Australia's 2-0 Test series loss in the UAE in October 2014.

Pakistan also have another left-armer in reserve in 26-year-old Junaid Khan, although he has been unable to replicate the promising form from the early part of his career since suffering a serious knee injury towards the end of 2014.