Why New Zealand Players Sported Pink Paint On Their Faces During 5th ODI Against India

New Zealand players sported pink colour on their faces during the fifth and final T20I match of the series at Bay Oval on Sunday. All the Blackcaps were seen sporting the pink zinc on their faces. All this was for a special cause.  The pink colour was a mark of support for the White Ferns, the New Zealand wonen's team.

New Zealand fans have been requested to sport the pink zinc on their faces in order to support the women’s team for their T20 World Cup campaign. ANZ, the official sponsors of New Zealand cricket, has requested the fans to either visit their branch to pick up the free zinc or use the supporter filter on Facebook. The New Zealand men's team also extended their support ahead of the marquee event.

12 overs into the Indian batting innings at Bay Oval. India 101/2 Bennett dismissing Rahul for 45 in the 12th. Pink zinc on in support of the @WHITE_FERNS ahead of the @T20WorldCup. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/C9zslxZiaE #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/0bK6ixinhR

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 2, 2020

In match, India choked New Zealand yet again to turn it around for a seven-run win in the fifth T20 International, giving them a rare 5-0 series whitewash in the shortest format on Sunday.

The Indian pacers, led by ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah, shared seven wickets among them for 25 runs in match-changing 7.2 overs to restrict the Kiwis to 156 for nine while defending 163 for three. Bumrah conceded just 12 runs in his four overs and got rid of three batsmen, bowling block-hole deliveries during death overs.

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India's total was built around stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma' 60-run knock after they elected to bat. Tim Seifert (50) and Ross Taylor (53) kept the Black Caps in hunt for a consolation win but the hosts again fell near the finish line.

This is only third time that India have whitewashed opponents in away T20 series and first time in a five-match rubber. India had blanked the West Indies 3-0 in 2019 and beat Australia 3-0 in 2016.

(With PTI Inputs)