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Ton-up Astle leads Kiwi run hunt against Pakistan

Mohali, India, May 9 - Nathan Astle struck a glorious 117 as New Zealand flayed depleted Pakistan for 285 for seven in the opening match of the four-nation Independence Cup here on Friday.

Astle's fourth one-day century in 44 matches followed his record opening partnership of 155 with Bryan Young (59) and 79 for the second with Matthew Horne (45).

The first-wicket stand was New Zealand's best in one-day cricket, surpassing the 152 by Glenn Turner and Bruce Edgar against England at Wellington in 1982-83.

The Kiwis looked set for a 300-plus score when they reached 188 for one by the 31st over, but Pakistan applied the breaks with six wickets in the space of 48 runs towards the end.

The Kiwis, sent to bat in perfect batting conditions at the Mohali stadium, toyed with a Pakistani attack without five regular bowlers including pace spearheads Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Astle and Young rattled up 100 by the 15th over and 150 by the 24th, before Young was yorked by seamer Abdul Razzak with the first ball of the 25th over.

Astle, who reached his century in the 31st over, managed just 17 more in the next nine as Pakistan tightened their bowling and fielding.

Astle was three short of equalling his highest one-day score of 120 against Zimbabwe last year when leg-spinner Shahid Afridi had him stumped by wicket-keeper Moin Khan in the 40th over.

Astle hit 10 boundaries and a six each off spinners Afridi and Mohammad Hussain.

From 234 for one, New Zealand slipped to 236 for three as Horne was bowled in the next over by Saqlain Mushtaq.

Saqlain kept his cool amid the mayhem to finish with three for 38 in 10 overs. Experienced medium-pacer Aquib Javed went for 70 from eight overs and Afridi for 49 from 10.

World Cup holders Sri Lanka and India are the other two teams in the tournament being played to celebrate the 50th year of India's independence.