New Zealand completed an emphatic seven-wicket win against Pakistan in the second match of a one-day international tri-series on Sunday. Chasing a paltry 117 after a fine display by their bowlers, New Zealand cruised home with 22.3 overs to spare.
Chris Nevin, the team’s pinch-hitter, started briskly with 28 from 29 balls then Lou Vincent (25 not out) and Chris Cairns (18 not out) weathered a barrage from paceman Shoaib Akhtar to clinch victory. It was New Zealand’s first one-day match since a disappointing World Cup where they failed to make the last four.
Pakistan, who beat Sri Lanka on Saturday to keep up a good recent run, never recovered from a disastrous first hour when they slumped to 17 for five. Struggling to get to grips with extravagant seam movement, four out of the top six were dismissed for ducks.
SCOREBOARD
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Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez c Styris b Tuffey 0, Taufeez Umar c Nevin b Styris 21, Faisal Iqbal b Bond 0, Yousuf Youhana b Bond 0, Younis Khan lbw Tuffey 3, Abdul Razzaq c Styris b Oram 0, Shoaib Malik b Styris 9, Rashid Latif c Styris b Vettori 26, Shoaib Akhtar b Vettori 27, Mohammad Sami not out 11, Umar Gul c Vettori b Oram 2 New Zealand: C Nevin c Taufeeq Umar b Umar Gul 28, S Fleming c Mohammad Hafeez b Abdul Razzaq 21, L Vincent not out 25, S Styris c Shoaib Malik b Abdul Razzaq 6, C Cairns not out 18 |