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Journalism of Courage
Pakistans tour of New Zealand has started in the worst possible fashion as they were humiliated by Auckland in the opening Twenty20 tour match on Thursday.
Put into bat first,Pakistan were bundled out for 90 runs in 17.4 overs as Aucklands left-arm pacer Michael Bates ripped through the top order at Colin Maiden Park.
Bates reduced Pakistan to 7-3 in the third over,which included the wickets of captain Shahid Afridi (one),Mohammad Hafeez (four) and Ahmed Shazad (0).
Middle-order batsmen Younis Khan and Umar Akmal provided brief resistance for the visitors with a 38-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Akmals 25 off 29 balls was the highest score for Pakistan.
The visitors score was also helped by a late flurry by all-rounder Abdul Razzaq (16) and Umar Gul (19).
Auckland made hard work of the run chase,but eventually overhauled the target off 13.2 overs winning the match by five wickets,Stuff.co.nz reports.
Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first of three Twenty20 internationals at Eden Park on Boxing Day.
