Pakistan bowlers won the battle solitarily, for their team, where they restricted New Zealand, for a platy score of ninety nine runs, to not only help their team, to stay in the hunt in this tournament but also aided their run – rate, which might make all difference in case, if the teams are tied with equal points.
Abdul Razzaq, who has been returning, to national side after two years, owing to ICL connections showed, that still he has lot of fire and desire, as he removed both Mc Cullum and Guptil in his early spell, to see that New Zealand doesn’t make a ideal start.
Redmond sounded, to be in complete control, with proceedings, very much like his previous match against Ireland, but once he got out to Mohammad Ameer full – toss delivery it became an ordeal situation, for New Zealand, to offer even a thought, about aggression.
Shahid Afridi removed Jacob Oram, with some tight bowling, but real Pakistan threat came in form of Umar Gul, who was introduced, after New Zealand is four wickets down and he was furious, with some good line and length.
He was in hat – trick twice in the match and he became the first man in T 20 international, to pick five wickets in the match, where he cleaned up the lower middle order and tail in quick time, to reduce New Zealand, to a paltry score of less than hundred.
Pakistan openers Shahzaib hasan and Kamran Akmal gave them the ideal start, for them to kick start their chase of ninety nine runs, but they lost Kamran Akmal, who ran out himself.
ShahZaib Hassan, who has replaced Salman Butt, showed his mettle, in this format of the game by providing the aggressive start, with some two lusty hits to the fence but Mills removed accounted for his wicket.
Daniel Vettori, who is making his first appearance in this tournament showed what New Zealand missed these matches, as he removed Abdul Razzaq and Sohaib Malik in quick succession, to stage a mini collapse.
Shahid Afridi and Younis khan made sure, that there is no further collapse and finished the match well, within fourteen over and made sure, that they increase their run – rate, so that they can have a edge over other teams with similar points.
Umar Gul was named man of the match, for his impressive five wicket spell, which literally demolished New Zealand morale and has taken them by surprise.
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