Match State: Match start scheduled for 10am local time (4am GMT)
welcome to Wisden CricInfo's coverage of the Bank Alfalah Cup final
between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Rangiri Dambulla
International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has won a crucial toss and chosen to
bat first, a decision New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming admits
he too would have made had he won it
the pitch looks as though it is the same one used for the last
couple of matches - batting conditions improved in the last match
slightly, thanks to an ironing out done with the heavy roller
prior, flattening it for just long enough to last a game,
lessening the amount of appreciable seam movement, though it still
got fairly dry and dusty towards the end, and aided the spinners
reasonably
the ground staff watered it heavily a couple of days ago, and have
followed a similar procedure, and there's a few tinges of green
within the cracks now, overall it looks like it may be the best
batting track of the tournament (touch wood)
there should still be a little assistance early on, and it should
deteriorate and lose its pace later on, but the period of time
where it is batting-friendly in the middle part should be
elongated compared to previous games!
it's extremely hot and rather windy today in Dambulla, and the
humidity levels are fairly high, so player comfort may not be at
its best early on
Pakistan have made two changes, one a pretty big call, bringing in
Faisal Athar to make his One-Day International debut today, in
place of the out-of-form Taufeeq Umar at the top of the order,
while Shabbir Ahmed returns for Shoaib Akhtar, who is sitting
out the first of his two-match ban for ball tampering in the last
round robin encounter between the same two sides
New Zealand has the services of Jacob Oram again, after a two-game
break nursing a stiff back, and he takes the place of off spinner
Paul Wiseman, who went wicketless in his first ODI for over two
years
it should be a pretty evenly matched game today, with both sides
not at full strength in terms of personnel - Pakistan more through
selectorial choice after their poor World Cup showing, Shoaib not
withstanding, while New Zealand continue to suffer a
glut of injuries, the biggest loss being that of Shane Bond in the
first game in the tournament, but otherwise they do hold an
advantage in terms of experience - collectively their XI notches
up exactly 1000 ODI caps today, while Pakistan carry just 602
however Pakistan has more of a history of winning tournaments,
whereas New Zealand's pedigree is poor - just one solitary multi-
team tournament success in their 30-year/37-tournament ODI history
- that was 2 1/2 years ago in 2000/01 when they won the ICC
Knockout in Kenya, beating Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India along the
way
New Zealand have a particularly poor record in tri-series
competitions, having taken part in 19, and only reaching the
finals on 8 of the 18 occasions where final(s) were held, losing
all of them, while in Asia it's an inglorious record of
2 finals appearances in 10 tournaments (one of which did not have a
final)
out to the middle come the umpires for the day, Australian Daryl
Harper and local Asoka de Silva, followed by the New Zealand
fielders and Pakistani opening batsmen, to a fair round of
applause from a modest crowd
the size of the crowd is hardly a surprise considering the Sri
Lankans aren't in the final, for the first time on home soil,
though it was noticeable how much more noise the smaller
contingent of Pakistani fans made in the final match, compared to
matches
involving the home team! they should supply plenty enough
atmosphere if the Pakistanis do well, anyway
it's Mohammad Hafeez to take first strike, with debutant Faisal
Athar at the non-striker's end, and Daryl Tuffey to open the
bowling from the Press Box End
a standard field set, quite attacking with 3 slips to begin with
0.1 Tuffey to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, good start by Tuffey! good
length ball, just a touch wide outside off stump, but good enough
to have Hafeez groping for it, leaves him, beaten through to the
keeper
0.2 Tuffey to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, similar line, a bit fuller and
sharper in pace, Hafeez wisely withdraws the bat well inside the
line to leave it through to the keeper this time
0.3 Tuffey to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, very similar again, 127kph,
delivering in the channel well outside off stump, no requirement
to play and Hafeez leaves through to the keeper
0.4 Tuffey to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT: unbelievable! first-over man does
it again! Tuffey strikes fourth ball, it's becoming monotonous
now, good length ball, just a little straighter, commits Hafeez to
play and all he can do is nibble a faint edge through to keeper
McCullum
Pakistan 0/1, Partnership of 0
Mohammad Hafeez c McCullum b Tuffey 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)
Faisal Athar 0* (0b) DR Tuffey 0.4-0-0-1
it's the 11th time Tuffey has taken a wicket in his first over of
an ODI, and 18th in the first over of an innings in an
international match, and amazingly 13 of these instances have come
in the last 13 months!
Yasir Hameed the new batsman, the one-match veteran joining the
debutant at the other end
0.5 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, wide: no run, poor ball, full and rather
wide outside off stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
0.5 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, no run, oooh! Yasir gets a bit ambitious a
bit soon, coming well forward looking to drive aggressively down
the ground on the off side but plays and misses, beats the outside
edge through to the keeper
0.6 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, no run, good length ball angling in from
just outside off stump, shuffles right across to get into line,
watchfully pushing it up to mid on in defence
End of over 1 (1 run) Pakistan 1/1 (RR: 1.00)
DR Tuffey 1-0-1-1 (1w) - Press Box End
Faisal Athar 0* (0b) Yasir Hameed 0* (2b)
Kyle Mills to open the bowling from the Scoreboard End
1.1 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, good ball to greet the debutant
first up, good length and angling in from wide on the crease,
taken high on the pad as he gets in behind it on the creaseline,
loud prolonged shout for lbw from behind the wicket but not the
bowler, suggestion of an
an inside edge and struck outside the line, even height too!
1.2 Mills to Faisal Athar, one run, and Faisal is underway in
international cricket! fullish ball swerving back in from a fairly
straight line, covers it well and wristily turns it away down to
long leg to get off the mark
1.3 Mills to Yasir Hameed, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, bit
of away swing there, firmly defended away to point
1.4 Mills to Yasir Hameed, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans forward and shoulders arms through to the keeper
1.5 Mills to Yasir Hameed, no run, very similar again, no stroke
required, just a little away movement through to the keeper as
Yasir leaves alone
1.6 Mills to Yasir Hameed, FOUR, shot! fantastic blow from Yasir, Mills
guilty of the good old Kiwi trait of bowling 5-ball overs and
forgetting about the sixth, which is promptly dispatched to the
boundary, this time overpitching outside off stump and Yasir
crunched it emphatically
End of over 2 (5 runs) Pakistan 6/1 (RR: 3.00)
KD Mills 1-0-5-0 - Scoreboard End
Faisal Athar 1* (2b) Yasir Hameed 4* (6b 1x4)
to the cover boundary, classic stroke with a full stride in and
admires his shot afterwards too
2.1 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
watchfully leaves it alone through to the keeper
2.2 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, a little shorter on off stump,
compactly defends from the crease, playing it down towards cover
point
2.3 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, one run, much fuller and very straight,
wristily clipped off the legs just behind square, Vincent does
well to dive to his right to partially stop it from square leg,
but can't prevent a single being taken as it dribbles away from
him
2.4 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, (noball) no run, oversteps, good length
ball outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
2.4 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, no run, good ball! fuller outside off
stump, and swings back in late, Yasir shoulders arms only to see
it shave just wide of off stump through to the keeper, benefit of
the doubt to the batsman there!
2.5 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, no run, shorter ball swinging away down the
leg side, whipped off the hip but plays it straight to Mills who
has been brought up inside the circle to field at short fine leg,
Tuffey gets away with that one
2.6 Tuffey to Yasir Hameed, one run, oof! sharp short rising, straight
ball, Yasir awkwardly fends it down in close on the leg side from
the ribcage, drops away to vacant square leg for an easy single as
the keeper McCullum darts across to tidy up
End of over 3 (3 runs) Pakistan 9/1 (RR: 3.00)
DR Tuffey 2-0-4-1 (1w 1nb) - Press Box End
Yasir Hameed 5* (10b 1x4) Faisal Athar 2* (5b)
3.1 Mills to Yasir Hameed, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
Yasir waits on the delivery to arrive and neatly opens the face to
solidly guide it down to third man, looking very at home already
is the newcomer
3.2 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, wonderful ball! ideal swing bowler's
delivery, probing on a fullish length just a fraction outside off
stump, a hooping away swinger has Faisal probing at it with leaden
feet, beaten through to the keeper
3.3 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
gets bat to ball this time, watchfully defending back down the
pitch to the bowler
3.4 Mills to Faisal Athar, one run, even fuller still outside off
stump, gets over the top of it well to guide it along the ground
down to third man
3.5 Mills to Yasir Hameed, OUT: very useful second breakthrough for the
New Zealanders, lovely ball from Mills, full and angling in from
wide on the crease, using the swing to straighten on a line of
middle and off, Yasir plays all around it looking to come forward,
rapped
Pakistan 11/2, Partnership of 11
Yasir Hameed lbw b Mills 6 (12b 1x4 0x6)
Faisal Athar 3* (8b) KD Mills 1.5-0-7-1
on the front pad and umpire de Silva raises the dreaded finger
pretty quick smart, looked a good decision, and the dangerous-
looking Yasir departs cheaply
the decision to bat first is not quite looking so great at the
moment, though bowler-friendly conditions are an accepted norm
early on here, it is simply a case of surviving through the tricky
period as best as possible, with as many wickets intact, so
one can make hay later on when the sun shines
Yousuf Youhana the new batsman
3.6 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, legbye: one run, Mills tries a sneaky
copycat ball to see if he can fool Youhana similarly, ala James
Anderson at the World Cup, and it's not bad, gets through his
defences but the line is more leg-sidish so the appeal for lbw
falls on deaf ears, they grab a leg bye
End of over 4 (3 runs) Pakistan 12/2 (RR: 3.00)
KD Mills 2-0-7-1 - Scoreboard End
Yousuf Youhana 0* (1b) Faisal Athar 3* (8b)
as it rebounds away into space towards midwicket
4.1 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish lifting ball on off
stump, stands tall on the crease to tuck it down in close on the
leg side in defence
4.2 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, much fuller ball well outside off
stump, watchfully shoulders arms through to the keeper
4.3 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, digs in a short ball, rising
outside off stump, Youhana comfortably enough ducks down inside
the line to leave it through to the keeper
4.4 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fuller outside off stump, again
leaves alone through to the keeper, picking Tuffey's obvious game
plan so far, short/full alternations this over
4.5 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, Tuffey changes the routine to get
Youhana playing, full and a bit straighter, comes forward,
watchfully forcing it straight back to the bowler on his follow
through
4.6 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball a bit wider outside
off stump, looks to drive fairly square but mistimes it, stroking
it straight up to wide mid off
End of over 5 (maiden) Pakistan 12/2 (RR: 2.40)
DR Tuffey 3-1-4-1 (1w 1nb) - Press Box End
Faisal Athar 3* (8b) Yousuf Youhana 0* (7b)
5.1 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, fullish ball swinging away outside
off stump, watchfully shoulders arms through to the keeper
5.2 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, shorter ball drifting down the leg
side, tucked off the hip straight down to square leg
5.3 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, lovely good length ball having
Faisal initially shaping forward before he stands his ground
unable to reach it, swinging away outside off stump, just manages
to hold the bat inside the line to let it go through to the keeper
5.4 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, a bit fuller, a bit wider outside
off stump, more confidently leaves it alone through to the keeper
5.5 Mills to Faisal Athar, wide: no run, Mills strays down the leg
side, fair length ball but it simply angles across the right-
hander, not far wide of the leg stump through to the keeper but
anything down there is almost certainly an instant wide
5.5 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, hops on the crease to tap it down in close on the off
side in defence
5.6 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, good fuller ball outside off stump,
eases forward in defence, solidly stroking it into the covers
End of over 6 (1 run) Pakistan 13/2 (RR: 2.17)
KD Mills 3-0-8-1 (1w) - Scoreboard End
Yousuf Youhana 0* (7b) Faisal Athar 3* (14b)
6.1 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans well forward, easing it straight to point in defence
6.2 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, two runs, shortish ball angling down the
leg side, clips it fairly fine, Mills around from long leg to
field just inside the rope, off the mark after 9 balls
6.3 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
eases forward in defence, firmly playing it away to point
6.4 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, (noball) FOUR, shot! double trouble for
the bowler, oversteps and and overpitches, Youhana punishes it for
all it's worth, driving powerfully through the vacant cover point
to the boundary
6.4 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
steers it away along the ground down to wide third man
6.5 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, oooh! good ball from Tuffey,
awkward length just outside off stump, Faisal is cut in half as he
stays creasebound and it jags back in, through the bat/body gap,
through to the keeper on the bounce
6.6 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, (noball) no run, oversteps again, Tuffey
just losing it somewhat this over, beautiful back of a length ball
that has Faisal beaten well and truly, through to the keeper
6.6 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, fends it down safely into the gully where Oram fields
End of over 7 (9 runs) Pakistan 22/2 (RR: 3.14)
DR Tuffey 4-1-13-1 (1w 3nb) - Press Box End
Yousuf Youhana 7* (12b 1x4) Faisal Athar 3* (17b)
7.1 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish lifting ball on off
stump, stands tall on the crease to defend it back down the pitch
to the bowler
7.2 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full on off stump, firmly nudges
it into the covers where Vincent roams
7.3 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, quicker, full ball angling into
the legs, overbalances somewhat as he tries to whip it away, drops
away to square leg from the pads
7.4 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, lovely fullish ball straightening
from the seam on a line of off stump, squares Youhana up a bit,
defends from the crease into the covers
7.5 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, one run, fuller outside off stump, looks
to drive but plays an ungainly version of it as he reaches well
away from his body, very little footwork for an off drive, ends up
pinging away just wide of Vettori at mid on to allow a single as
he closes the face early
7.6 Mills to Faisal Athar, (noball) no run, oversteps, now Mills has
the disease, already 6 'unforced' extras inside 8 overs, fullish
ball defended back on the off side of the pitch
7.6 Mills to Faisal Athar, no run, shot! and fielding! short outside
off stump, Faisal tears into it, playing a smashing square cut
into the ground, but can't get it past Harris diving to his right
at backward point, prevents a certain boundary
End of over 8 (2 runs) Pakistan 24/2 (RR: 3.00)
KD Mills 4-0-10-1 (1w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
Yousuf Youhana 8* (17b 1x4) Faisal Athar 3* (19b)
8.1 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, lovely ball! good length ball
outside off stump, just a touch full to tempt the drive, Youhana
comes forward but is done for movement off the seam back in,
through the gate and somehow misses everything, including off
stump, through to the keeper
8.2 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, and again! wonderful bowling from
Tuffey, very similar delivery, Youhana pushes forward looking to
cover the line of it, but is beaten by the seam movement again,
this time in the other direction, just straightening on him,
beaten all ends up
8.3 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish, straight ball, comes
forward, watchfully covering up in defence, tucking it up to mid
on
8.4 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, one run, much shorter outside off stump,
stands tall on his toes, forcing it off the back foot wide of mid
off for an easy run with the stroke
8.5 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, beaten! shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, Faisal fences at it, playing away from his
body, misses through to the keeper
8.6 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish ball seaming back in from
outside off stump, watchfully back in behind it in defence,
stroked straight up to mid on with a straight bat
End of over 9 (1 run) Pakistan 25/2 (RR: 2.78)
DR Tuffey 5-1-14-1 (1w 3nb) - Press Box End
Yousuf Youhana 9* (21b 1x4) Faisal Athar 3* (21b)
9.1 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish lifting ball angling in
on off stump, forced away straight to point from the crease
9.2 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, (noball) two runs, oh dear oh dear, no-
ball syndrome is getting worse, oversteps and strays into the
pads, easily worked away through vacant wide midwicket for a
couple
9.2 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, wide: no run, dear oh dear oh dear, and
follows up with a wide, really losing the plot collectively,
straying down the leg side, Youhana can't catch up with it,
through to the keeper
9.2 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full outside off stump, leans well
forward, firmly easing it straight to point
9.3 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, similar again, this time looks to
drive through the covers, mistimes it into the turf, played
straight to the cover fielder
9.4 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, better delivery, good length ball
angling in on off stump and then straightening, squares Youhana
up, defends away towards point
9.5 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, FOUR, then follows up with a terrible one,
short and wide outside off stump, sits up and Youhana plays a
classy back cut, down through vacant gully, no chance for Cairns
to cut it off from third man
9.6 Mills to Yousuf Youhana, no run, much fuller outside off stump,
shuffles well forward, looking to drive but plays with the leading
pad instead, rebounds away into the covers
End of over 10 (8 runs) Pakistan 33/2 (RR: 3.30)
KD Mills 5-0-18-1 (2w 2nb) - Scoreboard End
Faisal Athar 3* (21b) Yousuf Youhana 15* (28b 2x4)
an inconsistent couple of opening bowling spells by Tuffey and
Mills have managed to let Pakistan off the hook already after
being 11/2, already Youhana looking in prime touch and ready to
punish anything remotely loose
it'll be Tuffey to continue for the meantime, though there is a
slight hold up as the sightscreen is adjusted
10.1 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish lifting ball coming back
in off the seam, taken on the thigh pad and drops away to square
leg
10.2 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, FOUR, shot! Tuffey drops it too short and
angling into the body, Faisal rocks back and pulls it off the hip
through backward square leg, fine shot to kick-start his sluggish
innings
10.3 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, stroking it straight back to the bowler
10.4 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
stretches well forward, easing it firmly straight up to mid off
10.5 Tuffey to Faisal Athar, one run, another poor short ball angling
down the leg side, swung away strongly but down to Mills sliding
inside the rope to field at long leg, so just a single this time
10.6 Tuffey to Yousuf Youhana, no run, better line and length just
outside off stump, has Youhana pushing forward at it, beaten
through to the keeper
End of over 11 (5 runs) Pakistan 38/2 (RR: 3.45)
DR Tuffey 6-1-19-1 (1w 3nb) - Press Box End
Faisal Athar 8* (26b 1x4) Yousuf Youhana 15* (29b 2x4)
a wayward last over from Mills hastens the first bowling change,
Scott Styris on at the Scoreboard End
11.1 Styris to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish, straight ball, shuffles
across inside the line, taken high on the pad as he tries to work
it square, drops down in close on the leg side
11.2 Styris to Faisal Athar, no run, oooh! attempted yorker, Faisal gets
himself into a right tangle, coming too far across his stumps
trying to work it off the toes, adjusts at the last minute to dig
it out with the bat, avoiding what would've been plumb lbw, played
to square leg
11.3 Styris to Faisal Athar, no run, good fielding! shortish ball just
outside off stump, forced down behind point off the back foot into
the ground, Harris flings himself to his left to stop it on the
bounce
11.4 Styris to Faisal Athar, no run, shuffles right across in front of
his stumps to a very full ball on off stump, sweetly clips it off
the toes but straight to square leg
11.5 Styris to Faisal Athar, no run, good length fullish ball comes on
to the bat nicely, just shapes away a little, solidly defends into
the covers
11.6 Styris to Faisal Athar, one run, full and rather straight, strongly
clipped off the legs down to long leg for an easy single
End of over 12 (1 run) Pakistan 39/2 (RR: 3.25)
SB Styris 1-0-1-0 - Scoreboard End
Faisal Athar 9* (32b 1x4) Yousuf Youhana 15* (29b 2x4)
Jacob Oram on for Tuffey at the Press Box End in a double bowling
change
12.1 Oram to Faisal Athar, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
hops on the crease, tucking it down to square leg in defence
12.2 Oram to Faisal Athar, no run, oooh! good shortish lifting ball
outside off stump, swish and a miss through to the keeper as he
tries to get on top of the steepling bounce and force it square on
the off side
12.3 Oram to Faisal Athar, no run, full and rather wide outside off
stump, just passes inside the wide guidelines to get away with it
as it's left through to the keeper
12.4 Oram to Faisal Athar, no run, good fullish ball probing just
outside off stump, watchfully lets it go through to the keeper
12.5 Oram to Faisal Athar, no run, tight, good length ball just outside
off stump, solidly defends down into the off side
12.6 Oram to Faisal Athar, OUT: a very handy breakthrough for New
Zealand, Oram strikes in his first over with his very dependable
seams from an awkward height, gets excellent bounce from a tricky
length and that defeats Faisal, slashes to cut but doesn't get
over the top
Pakistan 39/3, Partnership of 28
Faisal Athar c McCullum b Oram 9 (38b 1x4 0x6)
End of over 13 (maiden) Pakistan 39/3 (RR: 3.00)
JDP Oram 1-1-0-1 - Press Box End
Yousuf Youhana 15* (29b 2x4)
of it, top edging through to the keeper McCullum who jumps up to
take it cleanly just above head height
New Zealand cap what was looking to be a strong partnership, taking
full toll of some loose bowling on a reasonable batting wicket,
with the ball coming on, but these conditions suit Oram just as
much
Younis Khan the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the wicket
fell off the last ball of the over
13.1 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, stands tall to defend it down into the covers
13.2 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, rather full just outside off
stump, powerfully straight drives but straight back to the bowler
on his follow through
13.3 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
props forward, quietly defending with a dead bat, played into the
deck and it bounces away in close square on the off side
13.4 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
watchfully shoulders arms through to the keeper as it comes back
off the seam late
13.5 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full outside off stump, comes
forward to drive, firmly stroking it along the ground but straight
up to mid off
13.6 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, one run, very similar again, this time
drives more strongly and a little squarer, has Mills tumbling to
his left to cut it off from mid off, allowing a single to be run
with the stroke
End of over 14 (1 run) Pakistan 40/3 (RR: 2.86)
SB Styris 2-0-2-0 - Scoreboard End
Yousuf Youhana 16* (35b 2x4) Younis Khan 0* (0b)
14.1 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, legbye: FOUR, interesting shot! Youhana
looks to combat the steady Oram immediately, shuffling right
across to off stump to get inside a short, lifting, straight ball,
looking to wristily flick it very fine, too fine for fine leg to
cut off, deflecting off the thigh pad
14.2 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guides it down to backward point
14.3 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fuller outside off stump, reaches
well forward for it but plays a bit early, ends up squirting it
away to square leg despite his off-side intentions
14.4 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, one run, Youhana looking very aggressive at
the moment, full outside off stump, strongly square drives just
behind point, Harris does well to dive to his left there,
partially stopping it but can't prevent a single
14.5 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, full and straight outside off stump,
comes well forward, strongly driving straight back to Oram on his
follow through
14.6 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper, keeps a touch low as it
reaches McCullum
End of over 15 (5 runs) Pakistan 45/3 (RR: 3.00)
JDP Oram 2-1-1-1 - Press Box End
Yousuf Youhana 17* (39b 2x4) Younis Khan 0* (2b)
15.1 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, fullish ball coming back in from
just outside off stump, taken low on the pad, fair shout for lbw
led by Styris but struck outside the line
15.2 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full and very straight, driven
strongly straight back down the pitch to the bowler
15.3 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, tight, good length ball on off
stump, watchfully defends down in close on the off side
15.4 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full outside off stump, tries to
smash it through the covers but mistimes it into the ground,
Styris across to field to his left on his follow through
Youhana immediately signals to the dressing room, perhaps wanting a
new pair of gloves as his hands slipped, the hot, humid conditions
making things a bit greasy no doubt
15.5 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, rather full and straight,
shuffles forward, trying to drive down the ground on the leg side,
but plays it straight to mid on, Youhana frustrated at being
unable to turn over the strike
15.6 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, good over from Styris is
completed with the keeper up to the stumps to keep Youhana in his
crease, good length ball on off stump defended back on the leg
side of the pitch
End of over 16 (maiden) Pakistan 45/3 (RR: 2.81)
SB Styris 3-1-2-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 0* (2b) Yousuf Youhana 17* (45b 2x4)
time for a drinks break, the initials honours going to New Zealand,
though Youhana is threatening to spoil their fun
Match State: Drinks
16.1 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
tucked down just wide of mid on, tight quick single taken with the
shot to get off the mark as the shy from side-on at the bowler's
end just misses
16.2 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish lifting straight ball,
tucked down in close on the leg side in defence
16.3 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, one run, shortish ball on off stump, pushed
away wide of Tuffey at mid on, working it nicely to pick up an
easy run with the stroke
16.4 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, looks
to force it away through the covers off the back foot, not a lot
of footwork accompanying the stroke, plays it straight to point
16.5 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, shortish ball angling in on off stump,
shuffles right across to get into line, stroked firmly straight up
to Tuffey at mid on
16.6 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, yikes! sharp shortish ball lifting on
off stump, Younis shaped to force it square before it was obvious
the width just wasn't there, and then it cuts back sharply off the
seam to have him cramped right up, chops a bottom edge down into
the ground
End of over 17 (2 runs) Pakistan 47/3 (RR: 2.76)
JDP Oram 3-1-3-1 - Press Box End
Yousuf Youhana 18* (47b 2x4) Younis Khan 1* (6b)
17.1 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, good length ball on off stump,
quietly defends from the crease up to mid on
17.2 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, firmly played up to mid off this time
17.3 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, two runs, full outside off stump, neatly
run away along the ground backward of point, quickly back for the
second as third man has to run a fair way around the boundary to
field it
17.4 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, oooooh boy! a lucky let off for
Younis, good length ball seams back in from off stump, taken high
on the pad and rebounds away to Harris at point, Younis charges
halfway down the track looking for a run but Youhana never really
looked interested,
the throw from Harris misses, otherwise a direct hit and he was out
by a couple of metres
17.5 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, shortish, straight ball, firmly
forced straight up to mid on
17.6 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, no run, full and wider outside off stump,
sweetly driven into the covers, but can't get it past Nevin
falling away to his left to field there
End of over 18 (2 runs) Pakistan 49/3 (RR: 2.72)
SB Styris 4-1-4-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 1* (6b) Yousuf Youhana 20* (53b 2x4)
18.1 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, forced straight back to the bowler from the crease
18.2 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, a little fuller but a similarly tight
line, forced straight back to Oram once again
18.3 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
cramped up and forced to defend into the pitch yet again
18.4 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, short lifting ball with a little more
width outside off stump, reaches back, strongly slashing it down
to wide third man to bring up a laboured 50 for Pakistan
18.5 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, no run, slower ball outside off stump,
fairly full, Youhana pushes forward but adjusts the wrists late,
guiding a thick edge into the ground, played to Styris at second
slip on the bounce
18.6 Oram to Yousuf Youhana, FOUR, shot! the shackles are momentarily
broken, the last-ball four syndrome working in Pakistan's favour,
fullish, straight ball, got right across in behind it and lofted
it neatly over midwicket, clever shot
End of over 19 (5 runs) Pakistan 54/3 (RR: 2.84)
JDP Oram 4-1-8-1 - Press Box End
Younis Khan 2* (10b) Yousuf Youhana 24* (55b 3x4)
19.1 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
firmly eased into the covers in defence
19.2 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, looks to dab it square but gets an inside edge into the
pad, drops down in close on the off side, smart quick single
stolen as the field can't get in to prevent it in time
19.3 Styris to Yousuf Youhana, one run, shortish ball on off stump,
tapped down just forward of square on the leg side, another smart
quick single taken as the calling improves between this
experienced pair, Vincent swoops in to field from square leg
19.4 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, freakish! a huge moment of bad luck
for Youhana and Pakistan, just as he was getting into stride and
Styris burgles his wicket, as Younis played a flourishing straight
drive back down the pitch, had four written all over it ... except
it was hit *too*
straight! Styris reached down to try and stop it, only gets a
couple of fingers to it, crashes into the stumps at the bowler's
end and Youhana is a few paces out of his crease with no hope of
getting back in, no need for a replay, he walks, a big wicket
and the Black Caps know it!
Pakistan 56/4, Partnership of 17
Yousuf Youhana run out (Styris) 25 (56b 3x4 0x6)
Shoaib Malik the new batsman
19.5 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, very full and straight, squeezes it
out in close on the off side in defence
19.6 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, good length ball on off stump,
reaches forward, watchfully defending back to the bowler
End of over 20 (2 runs) Pakistan 56/4 (RR: 2.80)
SB Styris 5-1-6-0 - Scoreboard End
Shoaib Malik 0* (0b) Younis Khan 3* (15b)
20.1 Oram to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish lifting straight ball,
tucked off the hip straight to Vincent at square leg
20.2 Oram to Shoaib Malik, no run, good length ball in a good channel
outside off stump, hangs the bat well back behind his body to let
it pass through untouched to the keeper
20.3 Oram to Shoaib Malik, no run, fuller and a bit wider outside off
stump, steps well forward but just watches it pass through to the
keeper, content to get a good look at Oram first, holding the bat
back out of the road
20.4 Oram to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off
the hip to square leg in defence
20.5 Oram to Shoaib Malik, one run, floats up a slower ball outside off
stump, rather full, Shoaib thrusts out at it, running a thick
outside edge wide of the slips, along the ground down to third man
to get off the mark
20.6 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, tight fullish ball angling in on off
stump, solidly defends up towards mid off
End of over 21 (1 run) Pakistan 57/4 (RR: 2.71)
JDP Oram 5-1-9-1 - Press Box End
Shoaib Malik 1* (5b) Younis Khan 3* (16b)
21.1 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, good length ball shaping away just
outside off stump, firmly eases it straight to Harris at point in
defence
21.2 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, good length, straight ball, just
angling into the pads however, strongly clipped off the legs
straight to Vincent at square leg
21.3 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
firmly eased straight to Harris at point
21.4 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
Shoaib goes right back in defence, squared around as he squirts it
away off a leading edge towards point
21.5 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, Styris right on the mark yet again,
line and length impeccable, Shoaib forced to defend with bat/pad
tucked together, into the covers
21.6 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, and again! exactly the same, Shoaib
gets right over it in defence, props forward to play it into the
covers
End of over 22 (maiden) Pakistan 57/4 (RR: 2.59)
SB Styris 6-2-6-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 3* (16b) Shoaib Malik 1* (11b)
Styris bowling an exemplary spell in the conditions, 6 overs for
just 6 runs, putting it on the spot and drying up the run rate as
the new batsmen struggle to get going, bowling well to a ringed
infield set
time for some spin, Daniel Vettori on, replacing Oram at the Press
Box End
22.1 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump,
props forward, defending quietly down in close on the off side
22.2 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, shorter ball drifting down the leg
side, Younis is unable to work it away for runs however, taken on
the pad and drops down in close on the leg side for the keeper to
tidy up
22.3 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, gives it some good air, flighted
up full and straight, Younis looks to turn it to the leg side but
squirts it just forward of square in unconvincing fashion, but
gets a single for his efforts anyway
22.4 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, nicely flighted up outside off
stump, Shoaib tries to cut it away but misses, through to the
keeper
22.5 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, one run, flighted up much fuller outside
off stump, firmly driven along the ground out to the cover sweeper
22.6 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, lovely ball! the arm ball, swerves
in the air as it drifts in, honing in on Younis' toes, the batsman
just managing to get the bat down in time, forcing a leading edge
up to mid off along the ground
End of over 23 (2 runs) Pakistan 59/4 (RR: 2.57)
DL Vettori 1-0-2-0 - Press Box End
Shoaib Malik 2* (13b) Younis Khan 4* (20b)
23.1 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off
the legs straight to midwicket
23.2 Styris to Shoaib Malik, no run, full and straight, goes right back
in behind it, firmly playing it up to wide mid on in defence
23.3 Styris to Shoaib Malik, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guides it off the face down to Oram at third man
23.4 Styris to Younis Khan, FOUR, shot! another slight pressure
reliever, ruins Styris' figures, dug it in too short, sits up
outside off stump at his face, Younis rocks back quickly to swing
it powerfully away over midwicket
23.5 Styris to Younis Khan, two runs, Styris overcompensates next ball,
too full and straying down the leg side, flicked away just behind
square leg, they're prevented from taking a second by Cairns
racing in from the deep to fire in a return, but it bounces
awkwardly for McCullum and goes
through to the cover sweeper, conceding the overthrow, sloppy
cricket from the Kiwis
23.6 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, slower ball, an off spinner, full
just outside off stump, firmly driven but straight up to mid on
End of over 24 (7 runs) Pakistan 66/4 (RR: 2.75)
SB Styris 7-2-13-0 - Scoreboard End
Shoaib Malik 3* (16b) Younis Khan 10* (23b 1x4)
7 off the over, Pakistan's best since the 10th over, and 3rd best
of the innings
24.1 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, one run, flighted up full outside off
stump, firmly driven along the ground out to the cover sweeper
24.2 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up nicely just outside off
stump, firmly driven straight back down the pitch to the bowler
24.3 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
Younis tries to be sneaky and play tip'n'run, just dropping it
down in close forward of point, starts scampering for a single but
Shoaib says no, has to scramble back as McCullum darts out from
behind the stumps to hare
after it
24.4 Vettori to Younis Khan, FOUR, shot! the arm ball and he picks it
easily, just outside off stump, back cuts and it races away down
to the vacant third man boundary, beating the diving Vincent
inside the circle, just a bit short from Vettori
24.5 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
props forward, defends into the covers
24.6 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, similar again, this time well
forward, covering up with bat/pad tucked together, playing it back
to the bowler
End of over 25 (5 runs) Pakistan 71/4 (RR: 2.84)
DL Vettori 2-0-7-0 - Press Box End
Shoaib Malik 4* (17b) Younis Khan 14* (28b 2x4)
another good over for Pakistan, this pair starting to build nicely
with intent, while New Zealand are perhaps just guilty of being a
touch defensive considering it's still in its early stages, and
how dangerous both these two batsmen can be
Chris Harris on to bowl, replacing Styris at the Scoreboard End
25.1 Harris to Shoaib Malik, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
firmly driven along the ground down to the man at long off
25.2 Harris to Younis Khan, one run, similar again, Younis reaching well
forward to try and get to the pitch of it to milk the single, but
it doesn't quite arrive, plays uppishly but safely wide of Harris
to get it down to long off
25.3 Harris to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, poor ball and Shoaib punishes it, too
short, sits up outside off stump, thrashed away through the
covers, places it perfectly to avoid the cover sweeper, super
timing
25.4 Harris to Shoaib Malik, one run, floated up full and straight,
drifts into the legs, glances it straight to short fine leg, very
tight single taken with the shot, but very well run, the throw to
the bowler's end goes wide anyway
25.5 Harris to Younis Khan, no run, floated up on a good length,
drifting in to take the front pad, stifled appeal for lbw, heading
down the leg side
25.6 Harris to Younis Khan, no run, good ball! held back slightly,
Younis reaches forward for it, getting a leading edge which pops
up on the off side, but falls short of the man at cover coming in
End of over 26 (7 runs) Pakistan 78/4 (RR: 3.00)
CZ Harris 1-0-7-0 - Scoreboard End
Shoaib Malik 10* (20b 1x4) Younis Khan 15* (31b 2x4)
26.1 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, flighted up very full and drifting
right in to the toes, forces it straight up to mid off
26.2 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, flighted up very full again, this
time outside off stump, forcefully played but straight to cover
26.3 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, and again! Vettori really tossing
it right up on a near yorker length, forced from the toes straight
to Harris in the covers
26.4 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, fielding! tries the arm ball
again, but again it's too short outside off stump, but this time
Vincent saves him with a fine diving stop at backward point, as
Shoaib played a lovely back cut
26.5 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, holds back this one more, much
slower, Shoaib props forward to cover up in defence with bat/pad
tucked together, played back to the bowler
26.6 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, a little quicker, thrusts forward
with bat/pad in defence to a straight ball, nudged into the covers
End of over 27 (maiden) Pakistan 78/4 (RR: 2.89)
DL Vettori 3-1-7-0 - Press Box End
Younis Khan 15* (31b 2x4) Shoaib Malik 10* (26b 1x4)
27.1 Harris to Younis Khan, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
strongly driven back on the off side of the pitch, Harris dives to
his left, but can only partially stop it, the single is taken as
Vettori comes across from mid on to field
27.2 Harris to Shoaib Malik, no run, floated up on a good length on off
stump, firmly pushed straight to short cover
27.3 Harris to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, awful, awful ball and Shoaib says
thank you very much, tosses up a juicy full toss, smacked away
over wide midwicket as easy as you please
27.4 Harris to Shoaib Malik, no run, floated up very full and straight,
driven strongly straight back to the bowler, a quicker ball from
Harris
27.5 Harris to Shoaib Malik, no run, floats it up outside off stump,
reaching forward to drive down towards long off, doesn't get a lot
of power on to it, beats the diving Harris, but not Vincent diving
to his right from short extra cover
27.6 Harris to Shoaib Malik, no run, very similar again, this time
Shoaib forces it directly to Vincent in the covers
End of over 28 (5 runs) Pakistan 83/4 (RR: 2.96)
CZ Harris 2-0-12-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 16* (32b 2x4) Shoaib Malik 14* (31b 2x4)
28.1 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, a poor ball from Vettori, low full
toss on the legs, powerfully swept away through backward square
leg, but Mills does well to slide around the boundary and stop it
on the bounce
28.2 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, shot! Shoaib looking incredibly
aggressive now, taking on the New Zealand slow bowlers, charges
down the track to a flighted ball, powers it straight back past
the bowler with brute force, to the straight long on boundary
28.3 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, one run, flighted up fuller and wider
outside off stump, driven out to Cairns on the cover boundary
28.4 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up on off stump, props
forward, watchfully defends down in close on the off side
28.5 Vettori to Younis Khan, FOUR, oh boy! this pair really taking it to
the bowlers, improvising and taking full toll of average bowling,
flighted up a bit too full outside off stump, reaches a long way
for it, sweeping powerfully through square leg, Mills can't cut
that one off
28.6 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, now Vettori errs by dropping it
very short outside off stump, punched away out to the cover
sweeper
End of over 29 (11 runs) Pakistan 94/4 (RR: 3.24)
DL Vettori 4-1-18-0 - Press Box End
Younis Khan 22* (36b 3x4) Shoaib Malik 19* (33b 3x4)
29.1 Harris to Younis Khan, one run, very cheeky! this pair taking runs
at will, shortish ball on off stump, runs it off the face straight
to Fleming at short third man, scampering through for what is a
seemingly effortless single with the shot
36 runs have come off the last 35 balls, Shoaib making all the
difference in upping the tempo, and Younis is now getting into his
stride too, a dangerous partnership forming
29.2 Harris to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, he does it again! floated up on a
fair length just outside off stump, plays a forceful square drive,
slicing it away between two fielders behind point, and races down
to the vacant third man boundary
29.3 Harris to Shoaib Malik, one run, floated up fuller outside off
stump, driven strongly straight down the ground to long off,
brings up the Pakistan 100, amongst a suddenly very excited crowd
of Pakistani fans
29.4 Harris to Younis Khan, one run, floated up full, drifting down the
leg side, glanced away to short fine leg, tumbling away to his
left to field, can't prevent a quick single from being taken with
the shot
29.5 Harris to Shoaib Malik, one run, floated up full and straight,
worked off the toes wide of midwicket for another easy single
29.6 Harris to Younis Khan, no run, pushed through flatter on off stump,
props forward, defending in close on the off side
End of over 30 (8 runs) Pakistan 102/4 (RR: 3.40)
CZ Harris 3-0-20-0 - Scoreboard End
Shoaib Malik 25* (36b 4x4) Younis Khan 24* (39b 3x4)
this pair taking singles at will, excellent cricket and it has
reinvigorated interest in the match, a sight rarely seen during
this tournament, where it has always been a battle for batting,
but these two are showing everyone how it's supposed to be done
an inevitable bowling change comes, Mills returns for the expensive
Vettori at the Press Box End
30.1 Mills to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish ball angling in on off
stump, looks to work it to the leg side but is squared around as
it doesn't come on, played back down the pitch to the bowler
30.2 Mills to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, a change of pace makes no difference
for Shoaib, fair length ball angling in on off stump, but Shoaib
gets right over the top of it, driving straight down the ground on
the leg side, between bowler and mid on, and races away to the
rope, brings up
the 50 partnership between this pair off just 64 balls
30.3 Mills to Shoaib Malik, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
steers it down to backward point in defence
30.4 Mills to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, shot! terrible ball is dispatched with
ease, straying on to the pads and you're just asking for trouble
there, clipped crisply away through wide midwicket, Shoaib is
making this look too easy
30.5 Mills to Shoaib Malik, no run, better line and length, angling in
from just outside off stump, plays away from his body, deflected
up towards mid on as he looked to play to the off side, shy at the
bowler's end from side on misses as Younis gets back into his
crease
30.6 Mills to Shoaib Malik, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
swish and a miss, through to the keeper, a gentle enquiry for a
catch from keeper McCullum falls on deaf ears
End of over 31 (8 runs) Pakistan 110/4 (RR: 3.55)
KD Mills 6-0-26-1 (2w 2nb) - Press Box End
Younis Khan 24* (39b 3x4) Shoaib Malik 33* (42b 6x4)
the Pakistan run rate has accelerated from 2.6 to 3.5 in the space
of just 8 overs, brilliant batting and the pressure is right back
on the Kiwis, who have no answers at all right now, a score of
200+ is easily on the cards, when 150 was looking to
be pretty much the limit just half an hour ago
Vettori switches ends, replacing Harris at the Scoreboard End
31.1 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, flighted up full and straight,
driven straight down to long off, picking off an easy single with
the now defensive-set fields, turning over the strike to chief
aggressor Shoaib
31.2 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, no run, well flighted up just outside off
stump, held back in pace, defends away towards point
31.3 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, one run, flighted up fuller outside off
stump, able to reach forward to force it straight down to long off
31.4 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, slower ball, shorter outside off
stump, hangs on Younis who punches it away through the covers, in
the air but wide of the fielder, out to Cairns on the boundary
31.5 Vettori to Shoaib Malik, OUT: a huge breakthrough! Vettori does it,
deceiving Shoaib with a delivery that looks like a standard
orthodox spinner, Shoaib frees his arms by moving to leg, shapes
to cut but is too late on the stroke as it slides straight on,
taking the top of
Pakistan 113/5, Partnership of 57
Shoaib Malik b Vettori 34 (45b 6x4 0x6)
Younis Khan 26* (41b 3x4) DL Vettori 4.5-1-21-1
off stump, and the New Zealanders are absolutely stoked and
relieved to get rid of the incisive Shoaib, things were really
getting away from them
Abdul Razzaq the new batsman
31.6 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, flighted up full and straight,
props forward, quietly defending down in close on the off side
End of over 32 (3 runs) Pakistan 113/5 (RR: 3.53)
DL Vettori 5-1-21-1 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 26* (41b 3x4) Abdul Razzaq 0* (1b)
32.1 Mills to Younis Khan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
firmly back cuts straight to Fleming in the gully on the bounce
32.2 Mills to Younis Khan, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
raises the arms up high to leave alone through to the keeper
32.3 Mills to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guides it away down to third man
32.4 Mills to Abdul Razzaq, two runs, strays down the leg side, giving
Razzaq an easy chance to get off the mark early, clipped away
neatly through backward square leg for a couple, long leg around
in the deep to field
32.5 Mills to Abdul Razzaq, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, firmly defends into the pitch, played back to the bowler
32.6 Mills to Abdul Razzaq, no run, fuller outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
End of over 33 (3 runs) Pakistan 116/5 (RR: 3.52)
KD Mills 7-0-29-1 (2w 2nb) - Press Box End
Younis Khan 27* (44b 3x4) Abdul Razzaq 2* (4b)
33.1 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, flighted up nicely outside off
stump, props well forward, quietly defending square on the off
side
33.2 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, quicker ball just outside off
stump, shaped to cut but has to adjust the stroke, guides it down
to point in defence
33.3 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, gives it more air, flighted up
very straight, swept along the ground straight out to Mills at
deep backward square leg
33.4 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, very slow, flighted ball on off
stump, watchfully leans forward, quietly defending towards point
with a dead bat
33.5 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, much quicker, straight, flat ball,
forward in defence again, playing it down in close on the off side
33.6 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, one run, a little shorter outside off
stump, strongly cut straight out to deep point
End of over 34 (2 runs) Pakistan 118/5 (RR: 3.47)
DL Vettori 6-1-23-1 - Scoreboard End
Abdul Razzaq 3* (7b) Younis Khan 28* (47b 3x4)
time for a drinks break, things now nicely poised for an intriguing
last 16 overs, as Pakistan try and balance attack with the amount
of batting left in reserve, while the New Zealanders try and haul
them back further
Match State: Drinks
34.1 Mills to Abdul Razzaq, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
firmly driven into a gap in the covers
34.2 Mills to Younis Khan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
driven firmly straight to extra cover
34.3 Mills to Younis Khan, no run, much fuller outside off stump,
strongly driven back on the off side of the pitch, Mills does well
to field to his left on his follow through
34.4 Mills to Younis Khan, FOUR, shot! overpitched, comes forward,
shuffles right across into line, powerfully drives straight back
down the pitch, past the outstretched right hand of Mills, and
also just misses the stumps at the bowler's end to race away
34.5 Mills to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, smartly just waits on it, tapping it down short and wide of
mid on for a well taken quick single, with the fielder and bowler
helpless to prevent it
34.6 Mills to Abdul Razzaq, one run, shorter ball outside off stump,
forcefully steered straight down to Vettori at third man
End of over 35 (7 runs) Pakistan 125/5 (RR: 3.57)
KD Mills 8-0-36-1 (2w 2nb) - Press Box End
Abdul Razzaq 5* (9b) Younis Khan 33* (51b 4x4)
35.1 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, flighted up full outside off
stump, strongly driven but straight to Vincent at short cover
35.2 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, nicely flighted up outside off
stump, nudged away just behind point, looking for a quick single
but prevented by Harris hurrying in to field
35.3 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, no run, well flighted outside off stump,
holds it back in pace, forced to defend straight to Vincent at
cover
35.4 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, one run, smartly played, flighted up on
off stump, taps it away just behind point, quick single taken with
the shot with ease
35.5 Vettori to Younis Khan, two runs, and another clever shot, tosses
it up rather full and straight, paddles it very fine past the
keeper for an easy two this time
35.6 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, well flighted up outside off stump,
reaches forward, easing it to Vincent at short cover in defence
End of over 36 (3 runs) Pakistan 128/5 (RR: 3.56)
DL Vettori 7-1-26-1 - Scoreboard End
Abdul Razzaq 6* (13b) Younis Khan 35* (53b 4x4)
Oram returns, replacing Mills at the Press Box End
36.1 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, stands tall on the crease, steering it down just
forward of point in defence
36.2 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
cuts and misses as it keeps low through to the keeper, who takes
on the bounce
36.3 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside
off stump, steers it straight down to Fleming in the gully
36.4 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, one run, similar again, but this time Razzaq
manages to guide it finer, down to third man
36.5 Oram to Younis Khan, two runs, oops! Younis tries to innovate and
comes off in rather lucky, and ugly fashion, but survives and gets
runs for it, trying to paddle a shortish ball from outside off
stump behind square leg, gets a top edge over the vacant slips
region, third man around
to field in the deep
36.6 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steers it straight down to backward point
End of over 37 (3 runs) Pakistan 131/5 (RR: 3.54)
JDP Oram 6-1-12-1 - Press Box End
Abdul Razzaq 7* (17b) Younis Khan 37* (55b 4x4)
37.1 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, one run, flat, shortish ball outside off
stump, cut away to deep cover point
37.2 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, gives it plenty of air, drifting
into the legs, Younis waits an eternity before trying to clip it
square but misses, into the pads and drops down in close on the
off side
37.3 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, flighted up just outside off
stump, nudged away quietly towards point, working it smartly for a
quick single as it's played into space and short of the infield
37.4 Vettori to Abdul Razzaq, one run, shorter ball outside off stump,
punched off the back foot out to the cover sweeper
37.5 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, very nicely flighted on off stump,
probes forward in defence, guiding it away to backward point
37.6 Vettori to Younis Khan, no run, fuller and quicker, angling into
the pads, tries to work it around the corner but misses, taken on
the pad and rebounds away to point
End of over 38 (3 runs) Pakistan 134/5 (RR: 3.53)
DL Vettori 8-1-29-1 - Scoreboard End
Abdul Razzaq 9* (19b) Younis Khan 38* (59b 4x4)
38.1 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, can
only force it away as far as point as Razzaq is cramped up by the
line and bounce
38.2 Oram to Abdul Razzaq, one run, similar again, but frees the arms up
slightly more, able to steer it down to third man
38.3 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, oh boy oh boy! fullish ball outside
off stump, Younis cheekily goes right across outside off to meet
it, flicking it away through backward square leg, Razzaq
immediately heads back for a quick second,
but doesn't check to see that his partner slipped over as he turned
at the bowler's end, Tuffey swoops in from the boundary, fires
back a pinpoint return to McCullum, who breaks the stumps with
Razzaq scrambling back
but finding himself inches short, as the third umpire confirms
Pakistan 136/6, Partnership of 23
Abdul Razzaq run out (Tuffey) 10 (21b 0x4 0x6)
captain Rashid Latif the new batsman
38.4 Oram to Rashid Latif, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish lifting
ball just outside off stump, taps it down square on the off side
in defence
38.4 Oram to Rashid Latif, no run, similar again, good tight shortish
ball outside off stump, stands tall to defend down into the covers
38.5 Oram to Rashid Latif, two runs, good length ball just outside off
stump, pushes forward at it, guiding a thick outside edge wide of
slip, down to straight third man, Vettori does well to slide
around from much wider on the boundary as they hurry back for a
second comfortably
38.6 Oram to Rashid Latif, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms to leave through to the keeper
End of over 39 (5 runs) Pakistan 139/6 (RR: 3.56)
JDP Oram 7-1-17-1 (1nb) - Press Box End
Younis Khan 39* (60b 4x4) Rashid Latif 2* (4b)
39.1 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
sweeps very well along the ground out to deep backward square leg
39.2 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, flighted up nicely just outside
off stump, props forward, quietly defending down in close on the
off side
39.3 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, very nicely flighted just outside
off stump, Latif thrusts forward in defence, turns and takes the
outside edge, deflecting away to gully along the ground
39.4 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, similar line and length, guided
straight to Harris at backward point
39.5 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, flighted up much straighter, Latif
content to prop forward and defend with the front pad leading
39.6 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, even slower still, flighted up
wider outside off stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
End of over 40 (1 run) Pakistan 140/6 (RR: 3.50)
DL Vettori 9-1-30-1 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 40* (61b 4x4) Rashid Latif 2* (9b)
a very quiet over as Latif just looks to get his eye in, readying
for a latter overs assault no doubt
40.1 Oram to Younis Khan, two runs, dear oh dear oh dear, atrocious
fielding by Vettori gives away a bonus run, shortish ball outside
off stump, guided away down to Vettori at third man, awful
technique trying the long barrier method to stop the ball coming
straight to him, rebounds away
off his leg to concede a second
40.2 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
forced away through cover point
40.3 Oram to Rashid Latif, one run, fuller ball outside off stump,
pushes forward, squirting a leading edge just forward of point,
into a gap for a quick single
40.4 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
shuffles forward into line, quietly pushing it back on the off
side of the pitch in defence
40.5 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, shorter ball outside off stump, Younis
tries to run it away down to third man but plays and misses, done
by the loopy, extra bounce, through to the keeper
40.6 Oram to Younis Khan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly steers it away behind point, but straight to Harris
fielding there
End of over 41 (4 runs) Pakistan 144/6 (RR: 3.51)
JDP Oram 8-1-21-1 (1nb) - Press Box End
Rashid Latif 3* (10b) Younis Khan 43* (66b 4x4)
41.1 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, flighted up full on off stump,
props forward, quietly defending back down the pitch
41.2 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, very nicely flighted up just
outside off stump, Latif eyes it closely but decides to withhold
his bat, letting it turn and bounce away through to the keeper
41.3 Vettori to Rashid Latif, one run, tries the arm ball, very full on
off stump, digs it out from his toes just forward of point into a
gap
41.4 Vettori to Younis Khan, one run, flighted up full just outside off
stump, Younis plays a curious paddle/sweep, coming down almost
vertically with the bat like a chainsaw! glides it down to fine
leg
41.5 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, flighted up nicely just outside
off stump, props forward, defending down in close on the off side
41.6 Vettori to Rashid Latif, no run, very similar again, tossed up just
outside off stump, stretches well forward, content to see Vettori
out, quietly defends in close on the off side
End of over 42 (2 runs) Pakistan 146/6 (RR: 3.48)
DL Vettori 10-1-32-1 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 44* (67b 4x4) Rashid Latif 4* (15b)
Vettori completes his 10 overs, coming back extremely well in his
second spell, after changing ends to the Scoreboard End
Latif in the meantime looks very cautious, no doubt looking to
accelerate sharply as the medium pacers are on at both ends now
Tuffey returns, replacing Oram at the Press Box End
42.1 Tuffey to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, shuffles into line, tucking it down just wide of midwicket,
working it well for a quick single
42.2 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, comes half forward but is cramped there, forced to defend
down square on the off side
42.3 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, no run, short and fairly wide outside off
stump, Latif fails to cash in however, looking to slash it through
point off the front foot, chops a bottom edge into the ground,
through to the keeper
42.4 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, no run, digs in a good short rising ball
just outside off stump, Latif shies away to let it pass through to
the keeper
42.5 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, no run, much fuller and fairly wide outside
off stump, tries to cut but misses out again, done by a lack of
bounce on this occasion, through to the keeper on the bounce
42.6 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, no run, similar again, fairly full and
quite wide outside off stump, cuts and misses, playing over the
top of it, just carries through to the keeper this time
End of over 43 (1 run) Pakistan 147/6 (RR: 3.42)
DR Tuffey 7-1-20-1 (1w 3nb) - Press Box End
Younis Khan 45* (68b 4x4) Rashid Latif 4* (20b)
Styris returns, replacing Vettori at the Scoreboard End who has
bowled out his 10 overs
43.1 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, an off break to start with, on off
stump, tries to sweep but misses, rebounds up in the air, McCullum
runs back to catch it near vacant gully, quiet enquiry from the
keeper and bowler, but only pad involved
43.2 Styris to Younis Khan, FOUR, fullish, straight ball, Younis paddles
again, this time doing well to get it wide of the diving Tuffey at
short fine leg, races away to the rope, first boundary in quite a
while!
43.3 Styris to Younis Khan, no run, fullish, straight ball, driven
straight up to mid on, unable to get the single for his 50
immediately
43.4 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, short ball rising outside off
stump, opens the face and guides it down to third man, brings up a
fine 72-ball 50, 5x4, just the third 50 of the entire tournament -
all three scored by Pakistani batsmen!
43.5 Styris to Rashid Latif, two runs, rather full and straight, Latif
tees off, bit of a wild swing, gets it away down towards wide long
on, quickly scampering back for a second on the return throw
43.6 Styris to Rashid Latif, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
rolls the wrists under it to run it away down to third man, a good
over for Pakistan to kick off their death overs hit-about
End of over 44 (8 runs) Pakistan 155/6 (RR: 3.52)
SB Styris 8-2-21-0 - Scoreboard End
Rashid Latif 7* (22b) Younis Khan 50* (72b 5x4)
44.1 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, FOUR, shot! short and wide outside off
stump, pierces the field at backward point after finding the
fielder so often in Tuffey's last over, third man has no hope of
cutting that one off in the deep
44.2 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, one run, slower, fullish ball outside off
stump, comes right across his stumps to meet it, turning it away
quietly to vacant square leg for the easiest of singles
44.3 Tuffey to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
opens the face, guiding it down to third man
44.4 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, one run, full outside off stump, strongly
driven straight to Cairns at deep cover
44.5 Tuffey to Younis Khan, one run, slower, shortish ball just outside
off stump, pushes forward, getting an inside edge into the pad,
drops down in close square on the off side, they scoot through for
a quick single
44.6 Tuffey to Rashid Latif, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly back cut through backward point, third man runs around
and looks to have it covered but makes a mess of the diving stop,
runs away into the rope, another excellent over for Pakistan
End of over 45 (12 runs) Pakistan 167/6 (RR: 3.71)
DR Tuffey 8-1-32-1 (1w 3nb) - Press Box End
Younis Khan 52* (74b 5x4) Rashid Latif 17* (26b 2x4)
45.1 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, full outside off stump, strongly
driven straight down to long off
45.2 Styris to Rashid Latif, no run, slower, shortish ball angling in on
off stump, Latif looks to free the arms and push it through the
covers but plays a bit lazily, inside edges into the deck, played
back down the pitch
45.3 Styris to Rashid Latif, no run, good tight shortish ball seaming
back in, cramps Latif up, forces it straight to point
45.4 Styris to Rashid Latif, one run, smart bowling, follows Latif who
shuffles well outside leg stump, cramps him up for room with a
full ball at the toes, drives and gets an inside edge, into
McCullum's pads, deflects away for a single
45.5 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, floats up a high full toss angling
into the legs, driven straight to Harris on the circle edge at
midwicket
45.6 Styris to Rashid Latif, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
neatly runs a thick edge fine, substitute fielder Horne runs
around from wider at third man, sliding to stop it inside the rope
End of over 46 (5 runs) Pakistan 172/6 (RR: 3.74)
SB Styris 9-2-26-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 54* (76b 5x4) Rashid Latif 20* (30b 2x4)
Oram returns, replacing Tuffey at the Press Box End
46.1 Oram to Younis Khan, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
Younis smartly spies the huge gaps on the leg side, shuffles
across to the line of it and works it away well wide of Horne at
mid on to grab two
46.2 Oram to Younis Khan, FOUR, shot! similar line and length, this time
Younis doesn't want to play prod'n'poke, and plays a Youhanaesque
pick-up stroke, lofting over wide midwicket
46.3 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, slower, fullish ball outside off
stump, nudged just forward of point for an easy single as Fleming
is across to field
46.4 Oram to Rashid Latif, OUT: Latif tries to improvise just a bit too
riskily, and the gamble doesn't pay off, shortish lifting ball
outside off stump, tries to hoist it over midwicket but is done by
the bounce, skies a big top edge out towards deep square leg,
Tuffey and
Pakistan 179/7, Partnership of 43
Rashid Latif c Tuffey b Oram 20 (31b 2x4 0x6)
Younis Khan 61* (79b 6x4) JDP Oram 8.4-1-28-2 (1nb)
Mills converge on it, coming dangerously close to one another,
before Tuffey intercepts to take the catch just in front of Mills
who stops in time
a very good little partnership that, 43 runs added in 50 balls,
just by playing some common sense cricket by and large
Mohammad Sami the new batsman, off strike as the batsmen crossed
during the catch
46.5 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
steers it down to third man
46.6 Oram to Mohammad Sami, one run, Sami off the mark straight away,
shortish ball outside off stump, steers it down to Nevin at third
man, runs the first quickly to hunt for a second but the return is
in smartly
End of over 47 (9 runs) Pakistan 181/7 (RR: 3.85)
JDP Oram 9-1-30-2 (1nb) - Press Box End
Mohammad Sami 1* (1b) Younis Khan 62* (80b 6x4)
47.1 Styris to Mohammad Sami, one run, fullish ball just outside off
stump, neatly glides it away down to third man to turn over the
strike
47.2 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, shorter, slower ball outside off
stump, yet another one run down to third man for the single
47.3 Styris to Mohammad Sami, two runs, great running! fullish, straight
ball, driven down the ground on the leg side, they sprint back for
a second as the sluggish Nevin comes in from the boundary, unable
to stop them
47.4 Styris to Mohammad Sami, two runs, great running again! Sami
playing a clever little hand here, shortish ball just outside off
stump, runs it rather fine and they're able to grab a second as
third man comes around to field
47.5 Styris to Mohammad Sami, one run, drops in a shorter one, angling
into the body, whips it off the hip through square leg, out to
Cairns in the deep
47.6 Styris to Younis Khan, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
reaches somewhat for it, scooping it towards Vincent on the circle
edge at extra cover, but bouncing well short of him, running with
the shot
End of over 48 (8 runs) Pakistan 189/7 (RR: 3.94)
SB Styris 10-2-34-0 - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 64* (82b 6x4) Mohammad Sami 7* (5b)
48.1 Oram to Younis Khan, FOUR, what a shot! fullish ball outside off
stump, jumps right out to it, picks it up off his legs over
backward square leg, and that's a certain boundary with fine leg
up inside the circle - a ploy that has rarely ever worked for
teams at the death,
particularly New Zealand
48.2 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
driven strongly straight down to Styris at long off
48.3 Oram to Mohammad Sami, OUT: Sami tries to copy an earlier stroke of
Younis', but he's not quite as well qualified, fullish ball
outside off stump, shuffled right across to it, skying it a long
way in the air to midwicket, Harris does well to fall back and
take the catch,
Pakistan 194/8, Partnership of 15
Mohammad Sami c Harris b Oram 7 (6b 0x4 0x6)
Younis Khan 69* (84b 7x4) JDP Oram 9.3-1-35-3 (1nb)
collapsing to the ground to complete it safely
Shabbir Ahmed the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as they
crossed during the catch
48.4 Oram to Younis Khan, one run, full and rather wide outside off
stump, charges down the track, reaching for it, drives straight to
Vincent on the circle edge at extra cover who holds on to the ball
as they run with the stroke
48.5 Oram to Shabbir Ahmed, two runs, oh dear oh dear! fullish ball just
outside off stump, pokes at it, inside edging into the pad, drops
it down in close on the off side, they hurry through for a very
dicey single trying to get Younis back on strike, Oram charges
forward, has all the
time in the world to aim at three stumps at the bowler's end, but
misses from close range, and concedes an overthrow as it runs down
to long on
48.6 Oram to Shabbir Ahmed, legbye: one run, fullish ball seaming back
in from just outside off stump, Shabbir steps forward, barely even
looks to use the bat at all, taken on the pad and runs away just
behind point, the quick run is allowed
End of over 49 (9 runs) Pakistan 198/8 (RR: 4.04)
JDP Oram 10-1-38-3 (1nb) - Press Box End
Shabbir Ahmed 2* (2b) Younis Khan 70* (85b 7x4)
Tuffey replaces Styris, who has bowled out, to bowl the final over
from the Scoreboard End
49.1 Tuffey to Shabbir Ahmed, OUT: shortish ball outside off stump,
tries to run it down to third man, but only manage to run a bottom
edge straight through to the keeper
Pakistan 198/9, Partnership of 4
Shabbir Ahmed c McCullum b Tuffey 2 (3b 0x4 0x6)
Younis Khan 70* (85b 7x4) DR Tuffey 8.1-1-32-2 (1w 3nb)
Danish Kaneria the final batsman to the crease
49.2 Tuffey to Danish Kaneria, no run, short, widish ball outside off
stump, similar to the previous ball, but the tail-enders can't get
to it, plays and misses through to the keeper
49.3 Tuffey to Danish Kaneria, no run, and again! shortish lifting ball
just outside off stump, pokes at it and misses, through to the
keeper
49.4 Tuffey to Danish Kaneria, no run, oh dear oh dear! Kaneria misses
yet another shortish ball angling away wider outside off stump,
through to the keeper and they can't scramble a bye either as the
field and keeper is alert
the field square on the off side has been strengthened too
49.5 Tuffey to Danish Kaneria, no run, and he misses another one!
charges down the track to a shortish lifting straight ball, swings
almightily but can't make contact
49.6 Tuffey to Danish Kaneria, OUT: hilarious finish to the innings!
shortish ball outside off stump, tries to run it behind point but
the contact he makes is only a thick edge to McCullum who dives to
his right and takes a fine catch!
Pakistan 198/10, Partnership of 0
Danish Kaneria c McCullum b Tuffey 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 50 (maiden) Pakistan 198/10 (RR: 3.96)
DR Tuffey 9-2-32-3 (1w 3nb) - Scoreboard End
Younis Khan 70* (85b 7x4)
a double wicket maiden in the 50th over for Tuffey - a bowler who
is more used to be pasted for double figures at the death against
better batsmen, but he'll be happy with his return today!
it brings back some memories of the (in)famous final over of an ODI
at Hobart, with Chris Pringle delivering a maiden to renowned
tail-end charlie Bruce Reid to win the match by one run, as Greg
Matthews looked on helplessly at the non-striker's end
this time the helpless one is Younis Khan, stranded on an unbeaten
70, unable to have a final blast to cap the innings off in style
as a result Pakistan fall short of the psychological 200 mark,
something they have been the only team to crack during the
tournament - in the last round robin match against New Zealand,
incidentally, as well as 199 in the opening game against Sri Lanka
Younis the stand-out of the innings, posting the second highest
individual score of the tournament, just four runs shy of Shoaib
Malik's blazing effort of 74 off 72 balls in the last game against
New Zealand
Shoaib himself was a cameo star today, kicking the middle of the
Pakistani innings alive when things were looking all doom and
gloom, and for a while the New Zealanders had absolutely no
answers whatsoever, and an even bigger total remained a
possibility
but Vettori snared the vital breakthrough with a lovely piece of
guile, and though Razzaq and Latif chipped in with some useful
runs in support of Younis, the Pakistan innings never quite
reached the same heights again
Tuffey grabs the best figures of the innings for New Zealand,
somewhat flatteringly thanks to his last over, though in general
he did bowl pretty well, including taking his now-customary first-
over wicket to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez - the second time he's
been a victim of the unusual twist of fate!
Oram was solid as ever, though his figures suffered a bit towards
the end as he failed to adjust his natural solid line/length
bowling for the death overs, but still picked up three useful
wickets
Vettori wasn't quite as much of a handful as he was in the last two
matches, with the pitch playing a little better and the batsmen
generally content to respect him (except Shoaib!) and prefer to
take to the other bowlers when they could
Styris bowled a fine early spell, his first 6 overs costing just 6
runs, though his final 4 did cost 28, while Mills and Harris were
fairly expensive
New Zealand will chase a target of 199 at a required run rate of
3.98 per over to win, and it should be a fascinating battle, with
such a total around par in today's conditions - it will take a bit
of getting, even if they bat better than average
please join us in 35 minutes time at 2:15pm local time (0815 GMT)
for a resumption in play
any comments about our coverage so far today can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field and it'll be Mohammad Sami to bowl
from the Press Box End to Chris Nevin, with Stephen Fleming at the
non-striker's end
0.1 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, on the spot straight away, good
tight shortish ball on off stump, in behind it in defence, played
back down the pitch to the bowler
0.2 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, wide: no run, but not quite on the spot
this time, full and straying down the leg side, Nevin fails to
catch up with it, through to the keeper
interestingly Sami is bowling into the wind today, despite being
first choice bowler, 135.7kph that last one
0.2 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, FOUR, shot! short and a little wide outside
off stump, powerfully back cut through backward point, gets over
the top of it well, third man unable to get around to cut it off
in time, 140kph that time
0.3 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, wide: no run, strains with extra effort to
get up to 145kph, but his radar is well and truly off now, very
full and wide down the leg side through to the keeper
0.3 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, much better, eases up on the gas
pedal slightly, 142kph, fullish ball on off stump, watchfully half
forward, solidly defending into the covers
0.4 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, full and swinging in, Nevin
overbalances as he's taken on the pad, done for pace, big but
unconvincing appeal for lbw, umpire de Silva shakes the head,
going well down the leg side
0.5 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, wide: no run, oh dear oh dear, this opening
over may never end, yet another wide down the leg side through to
the keeper
0.5 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, legbye: FOUR, it just gets worse for Sami,
digs in a short ball to the short man, not badly directed, perhaps
just a touch leg sidish, Nevin ducks into it, wasn't all that
short in terms of bounce in the end, taken on the back and
deflects past the keeper down to
the boundary rope, 4 leg byes as he was taking evasive action
despite no stroke being played
0.6 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, at last the first over ends,
fullish ball just outside off stump, firmly eased straight to
cover
End of over 1 (11 runs) New Zealand 11/0 (RR: 11.00 RRR: 188/49 = 3.84)
Mohammad Sami 1-0-7-0 (3w) - Press Box End
SP Fleming 0* (0b) CJ Nevin 4* (6b 1x4)
Shabbir Ahmed opening up from the Scoreboard End
1.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, good length ball angling away
outside off stump, leans forward, raising the arms up to leave it
alone through to the keeper
1.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, full and rather wide outside off
stump, Shabbir's radar just taking a little bit of time to warm up
too, very, very lucky to get away with no wide call from umpire
Harper as Fleming left it alone through to the keeper
1.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump and
straightens off the seam, Fleming leans forward and then shoulders
arms, cops one on the top of the leg for his troubles as he's done
by the movement and bounce from a difficult height
1.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fuller ball angling across the
left-hander outside off stump, left alone through to the keeper
again
1.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, wide: no run, a shocker, this time umpire
Harper has no choice but to call wide, incredibly full and wide
outside off stump, Latif does well to get across in front of first
slip to take it, would've been a Test match wide easily
1.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, much better, good line and
length, fullish just outside off stump, leaves alone through to
the keeper
1.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, one run, full on the legs, strongly
clipped away down to fine leg to get off the mark and retain the
strike
End of over 2 (2 runs) New Zealand 13/0 (RR: 6.50 RRR: 186/48 = 3.88)
Shabbir Ahmed 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 1* (6b) CJ Nevin 4* (6b 1x4)
2.1 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, quick and full outside off stump,
145kph, leans well forward, leaving alone through to the keeper
2.2 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, good line and length, angling
across the lefty just outside off stump, shapes to play before
choosing to let it go through to the keeper quite early on
2.3 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, another good ball, just a
fraction straighter, tempting Fleming more and more into playing
at it, but the batsman withdraws the bat inside the line to leave
to the keeper at the last moment
2.4 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, and again, a touch straighter,
rather full outside off stump, inviting Fleming to drive but he is
happy to let it go through to the keeper
2.5 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, at last some willow on leather
contact, fullish ball just outside off stump, solidly stroked out
into the point region in defence
2.6 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, FOUR, shot! it would seem the last-ball
four problem is not a uniquely Kiwi trait, as Sami ruins a very
tidy over with an overpitched ball on leg stump, Fleming clips it
away through wide midwicket with lovely timing
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 17/0 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 182/47 = 3.87)
Mohammad Sami 2-0-11-0 (3w) - Press Box End
CJ Nevin 4* (6b 1x4) SP Fleming 5* (12b 1x4)
3.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, legbye: one run, good ball! sharp shortish
lifting ball angling into the short right-hander, well tucked up
by it, hopping in defence, taken high on the leg and it balloons
away just wide of the slips, well run quick single taken
3.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, a beauty! fullish ball angling
across the left-hander, just outside off stump, seam and swing,
Fleming plays inside it, well beaten through to the keeper
3.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, good length ball angling away
further outside off stump, leaves alone through to the keeper
3.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, five runs, oh dear oh dear, Pakistan
wayward in most departments early on in the field, and it's
proving costly, shortish lifting straight ball, tucked down in
close on the leg side, very tight quick single taken, Faisal darts
in from midwicket, has a shy at the
bowler's end but it goes well wide, Fleming would've been in some
trouble had it hit, but it costs Pakistan 4 extra runs as it
misses, with Kaneria backing up far too close and on the wrong
angle, runs away to the midwicket boundary
3.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, one run, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, Nevin plays his favoured uppercut, slicing it away down to
third man, gets him in trouble often in the past, but this time
manages to keep it down well enough, down to the third man fielder
on the bounce
3.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fuller ball outside off stump,
leaves alone through to the keeper
End of over 4 (7 runs) New Zealand 24/0 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 175/46 = 3.80)
Shabbir Ahmed 2-0-8-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
CJ Nevin 5* (8b 1x4) SP Fleming 10* (16b 1x4)
4.1 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, firmly playing it to cover
4.2 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, similar again, this time slightly
more back of a length, defends from the crease down into the off
side
4.3 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, fullish ball angling in on off
stump, solidly defends straight back along the pitch to the bowler
4.4 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, (noball) two runs, oversteps, attempted
yorker, honing in on the toes of Nevin, does well to squeeze it
out straight back down the pitch past the bowler on the leg side
of the pitch, played straight of mid on and allows a couple of
runs to be taken easily to boot
4.4 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, wide: no run, digs in an ill-directed short
ball, angling down the leg side, Nevin shapes to pull before
bailing out, ducking underneath it, umpire de Silva signals wide
4.4 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
looks to stand tall on the crease and punch it through the crease
but fails to time it, played into the turf, straight to cover
4.5 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, three runs, much better stroke this time,
Sami pitches it fuller outside off stump, allowing Nevin to ease
forward, firmly controlling it through a gap in the covers,
overhauled two-thirds of the way to the boundary, hurrying back
for a third on the return throw
4.6 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, oooh! a loose stroke to end the
over, Fleming normally left those earlier on, this time he pushed
well away from his body in no man's land at a fullish ball angling
away from him fairly wide outside off stump, playing and missing
through to the keeper
End of over 5 (7 runs) New Zealand 31/0 (RR: 6.20 RRR: 168/45 = 3.73)
Mohammad Sami 3-0-18-0 (4w 1nb) - Press Box End
CJ Nevin 10* (14b 1x4) SP Fleming 10* (17b 1x4)
5.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, legbye: FOUR, extras continue to lead the
way for New Zealand, more wayward bowling from the Pakistani
openers costing them dearly, fullish ball angling on leg stump,
comes inside it and glances it very fine off the pads
5.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, no run, shortish ball moving away outside
off stump, swish and a miss from Nevin, looking to cut it but it's
a bit full to do much with a horizontal blade, through to the
keeper
5.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, one run, better from Nevin this time,
playing more of a square drive to a similar delivery, using the
front leg to reach it better, struck hard into the ground, played
just wide of point to get a quick run, well fielded in that region
5.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, good tight shortish ball on off
stump, solidly defends straight up to mid off
5.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, good line and length, fullish and
just outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
5.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, FOUR, awful, awful bowling, Shabbir has a
7-2 off-side dominate field set, and proceeds to deliver a full
half volley on leg stump, Fleming dispatches it for what it
deserves, lofted strongly over square leg to the boundary
End of over 6 (9 runs) New Zealand 40/0 (RR: 6.67 RRR: 159/44 = 3.61)
Shabbir Ahmed 3-0-13-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
CJ Nevin 11* (17b 1x4) SP Fleming 14* (20b 2x4)
a woeful start by Pakistan has them very much on the back foot
unless they strike quickly with the new ball, Nevin and Fleming
looking very comfortable and just picking off the runs presented
to them on a platter at the moment
an inevitable bowling change comes, with Abdul Razzaq replacing
Sami at the Press Box End
6.1 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, a good start, good length ball just
outside off stump, Nevin pushes a little away from his from pad in
defence, a bit of inward movement draws an inside edge into the
front pad
6.2 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, wide: no run, but Razzaq quickly falls into
the trap which felled his predecessors, straying well wide down
the leg side, Nevin can't catch up to it, through to the keeper
6.2 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, one run, fair length ball just outside off
stump, Nevin plays a bit nervously again, chopping an inside edge
into the front pad, drops down in close on the off side, good
quick run taken
6.3 Abdul Razzaq to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away outside
off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
Razzaq bails out of his delivery stride as the fiercely strong
Dambulla wind picks up, on what is otherwise an extremely hot and
humid day with nary a cloud in the sky
6.4 Abdul Razzaq to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans forward before shouldering arms through to the keeper
6.5 Abdul Razzaq to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, leans
forward, strongly easing it straight to cover
6.6 Abdul Razzaq to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, leans into
the stroke, strongly working it off the legs but straight to short
midwicket on the bounce
End of over 7 (2 runs) New Zealand 42/0 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 157/43 = 3.65)
Abdul Razzaq 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Press Box End
CJ Nevin 12* (19b 1x4) SP Fleming 14* (24b 2x4)
a much tidier over to keep things quiet that time for Pakistan
7.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, no run, good ball! right on the mark on off
stump at decent pace, squares Nevin right up on the crease with a
little but of movement off the seam, squirts a thick outside edge
along the ground into the gully
7.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, one run, is unable to put together a string
of good balls however, immediately drifting down the leg side,
firmly glanced away down to fine leg, and that's New Zealand's
best partnership of the tournament!
7.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
7.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish ball just a fraction
outside off stump, leans well forward and is again content to let
it go through to the keeper
7.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, very similar again, just outside
off stump on a good length, again Fleming knows it's not going to
come back alarmingly off the seam and lets it go through to the
keeper
7.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, wide: no run, just as Shabbir gets a bit
of a good trot going, he ruins it, full and very wide outside off
stump, leaves alone through to the keeper
7.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
and for the umpteenth time Fleming lets it go through to the
keeper
End of over 8 (2 runs) New Zealand 44/0 (RR: 5.50 RRR: 155/42 = 3.69)
Shabbir Ahmed 4-0-15-0 (2w) - Scoreboard End
CJ Nevin 13* (21b 1x4) SP Fleming 14* (28b 2x4)
8.1 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, oooh! good ball by Razzaq almost
provides the opening breakthrough, fullish and cutting back in off
the seam, traps Nevin back in the crease, rapped on the pads, a
prolonged shout for lbw, but umpire de Silva rightly says it was
just heading down the
leg side
8.2 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
props forward in defence, playing it back on the off side of the
pitch
8.3 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, similar again, full just outside off
stump, firmly stroked straight up to mid off
8.4 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
cuts and misses as the bounce isn't quite there, through to the
keeper
8.5 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, wide: no run, oh dear, oh dear, more extras
from Pakistan's bowlers, full and wide, angling well down the leg
side through to the keeper
8.5 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, (noball) FOUR, oh man, it just gets worse
and worse, Razzaq oversteps now, and dishes up a wide half volley
outside off stump to boot, Nevin plays a fine square drive just
wide of the point fielder, brings up the New Zealand 50 in just 54
balls
8.5 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly
stroked straight up towards mid on
8.6 Abdul Razzaq to Nevin, no run, full outside off stump, stretches
well forward, solidly easing it into the covers
End of over 9 (6 runs) New Zealand 50/0 (RR: 5.56 RRR: 149/41 = 3.63)
Abdul Razzaq 2-0-8-0 (2w 1nb) - Press Box End
SP Fleming 14* (28b 2x4) CJ Nevin 17* (28b 2x4)
9.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
9.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, shorter, lifting ball just
outside off stump, again leaves alone through to the keeper
9.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fuller outside off stump on a
similar line, leaves alone yet again through to the keeper
9.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, (noball) one run, extra number 20 is
notched up inside 10 overs, a rather disgraceful effort in a
crunch match and could well cost Pakistan the game at this rate,
shortish lifting ball on off stump, taps it down into a gap in the
covers, adding more insult to injury
by stealing a sneaky quick single with the shot
9.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, no run, sharp shortish lifting straight
ball angling in on off stump, cramps Nevin up, hops on the crease
to defend it back down the pitch
9.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, no run, digs in a short pitched ball
outside off stump, Nevin safely sways and ducks down inside the
line to let it pass through to keeper Latif, umpire Harper signals
that it's his one allowable bouncer in the over
9.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Nevin, no run, fuller and angling in from just
outside off stump, thrusts forward with bat/pad in defence, inside
edging into the front pad, tamely dropping away in close on the
off side
End of over 10 (2 runs) New Zealand 52/0 (RR: 5.20 RRR: 147/40 = 3.67)
Shabbir Ahmed 5-0-17-0 (2w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 15* (32b 2x4) CJ Nevin 17* (31b 2x4)
time for some variation, spinner Mohammad Hafeez on to bowl,
replacing Razzaq at the Press Box End
a strong off side field set for the left-handed Fleming on strike
10.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full just outside
off stump, leans well forward, firmly defending in close on the
off side
10.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, two runs, lovely shot, a bit short and
it sits up just outside off stump, strongly punched away through a
gap in the covers, Sami has a fair chase to overhaul it just
inside the boundary
10.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, quicker, full ball pushed
through, drifting in on the legs, taken on the pads, appeal for
lbw but pitched well outside leg says umpire de Silva
10.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, oh boy! again, this time much
quicker still, and straighter, Fleming dangerously goes back to
it, rapped on the pads dead in front of middle stump, massive
appeal for lbw, but umpire de Silva remains motionless, and makes
a fine call
no question it was going to clean up the sticks, but it clearly
pitched just outside leg stump, Fleming lucky to get away with
playing a poor shot, though
10.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and straight,
leans well forward, defending down in close on the leg side
10.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, well flighted up outside off
stump, leans forward to ease it towards point in defence
End of over 11 (2 runs) New Zealand 54/0 (RR: 4.91 RRR: 145/39 = 3.72)
Mohammad Hafeez 1-0-2-0 - Press Box End
CJ Nevin 17* (31b 2x4) SP Fleming 17* (38b 2x4)
Sami returns, switching ends, replacing Shabbir at the Scoreboard
End
11.1 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, oooh! mixed success first up,
shortish ball just outside off stump, Nevin tries to cut but chops
a bottom edge into the ground, Latif does very well to fling
himself to his left and grab it on the bounce to save a certain
boundary
11.2 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, no run, quick ball, 145kph, very full and
straight, grunts as he puts in extra effort, firmly defends
straight back down the pitch
11.3 Mohammad Sami to Nevin, OUT: the change of ends does the trick!
shortish ball rising outside off stump, Nevin flays at it, playing
a very soft shot trying to play an aerial cut over backward point,
only succeeds in playing it straight to Shoaib Malik there
New Zealand 54/1, Partnership of 54
CJ Nevin c Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Sami 17 (34b 2x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 17* (38b 2x4) Mohammad Sami 3.3-0-18-1 (4w 1nb)
the first wicket falls, bringing cheers of delight in the otherwise
impatient and restless Pakistan-favoured local crowd, giving them
a bit of hope after a terrible start
Lou Vincent the new batsman
11.4 Mohammad Sami to Vincent, one run, oooh, another good effort ball
from Sami, quick and honing in on off stump, Vincent squirts a
streaky thick outside edge along the ground down to third man as
he's squared around, getting off the mark
11.5 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, (noball) no run, but yet again, the
inconsistency in the bowling remains, after some good deliveries
the pressure is not being sustained, as Sami not only oversteps
but strays well wide down the leg side as he strains for extra
effort and pace, through to the keeper
11.5 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, oooh! much better, back of a
length ball shaping away outside off stump, Fleming plays loosely
at it from back on the crease, beaten through to the keeper
11.6 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, wide: no run, quick, full and a bit wide
outside off stump, left alone through to the keeper, umpire Harper
signals wide, a tough call on Sami really, wasn't as wide as an
earlier Shabbir wide from the same end which wasn't called
11.6 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, tight fullish ball on off stump,
props forward in defence, solidly playing it into the covers
End of over 12 (3 runs) New Zealand 57/1 (RR: 4.75 RRR: 142/38 = 3.74)
Mohammad Sami 4-0-21-1 (5w 2nb) - Scoreboard End
L Vincent 1* (1b) SP Fleming 17* (41b 2x4)
147kph that last delivery, a very fiery over from Sami without
resorting to bouncers and the likes, still a bit wayward, but at
least fighting tooth and nail for Pakistan's cause in the absence
of Shoaib Akhtar
12.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, wide: one run, boy oh boy oh boy, the
wides and no-balls just keep on coming! flighted up full and
drifting down the leg side, tries to glance it fine but misses,
Latif fails to stop on the half volley, ricochets off his pads
towards vacant backward square leg for
a bonus run
12.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, one run, flighted up full and straight,
turning in from outside leg stump, Fleming gets well forward to
cover up, turning it away to vacant square leg for an easy single
as the off side is stacked with a near empty leg side
12.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, no run, flighted up well just outside
off stump, props well forward, defending with bat/pad together
down in close on the off side
12.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, one run, flighted up just outside off
stump, gets well forward and down to paddle it, turns it across
the face of the exposed stumps to short fine leg for a quick run
with the shot as there's an appeal for lbw in the meantime
12.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and turning in
from just outside leg stump, leans forward, defending down in
close on the leg side
12.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, one run, similar again, but this time
Fleming is able to work it away to the big gap forward of square
on the leg side for a single
12.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, no run, flighted up full and straight,
props forward, quietly defending square on the leg side
End of over 13 (5 runs) New Zealand 62/1 (RR: 4.77 RRR: 137/37 = 3.70)
Mohammad Hafeez 2-0-7-0 (1w) - Press Box End
SP Fleming 19* (44b 2x4) L Vincent 2* (4b)
13.1 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, 147kph, fullish ball angling
across the left-hander outside off stump, leaves alone through to
the keeper
13.2 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, grunts with extra strain as he
delivers again, 143kph, full ball a bit wider outside off stump,
no stroke offered, through to the keeper
13.3 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, sharp shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, firmly played down towards point, fine diving
stop made there by Hafeez to prevent a single
13.4 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, similar again, stands tall on the
crease, easing it straight to Hafeez at cover point in defence
13.5 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, (noball) no run, extra number 25, Sami
oversteps, shortish, straight ball, solidly defended from the
crease straight back to the bowler
13.5 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, a beauty! perfect line and
length, seaming away from the left-hander in the corridor of
uncertainty just outside off stump, commits Fleming to waft the
bat at it, beaten well and truly through to the keeper
13.6 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, attempts a yorker but turns into
an awkward full toss on the stumps, firmly stroked straight up to
mid off
End of over 14 (1 run) New Zealand 63/1 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 136/36 = 3.78)
Mohammad Sami 5-0-22-1 (5w 3nb) - Scoreboard End
L Vincent 2* (4b) SP Fleming 19* (51b 2x4)
14.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
sweeps strongly around the corner to short fine leg who makes a
partial stop falling to his right, unable to prevent a single
being taken however
14.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, wide: no run, extra number 26, flighted
up full down the leg side, tries to flick it fine but misses,
sharp work by Latif to gather and whip off the bails smartly, but
Fleming's back foot never left its anchor in the crease
14.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, FOUR, superb shot! Hafeez continues to
try and turn it in to the left-hander from outside leg stump, and
continues not to prosper as a result, flighted up on the legs, all
Fleming has to do is lean forward to the pitch of it and stroke
through the line,
playing an exquisitely timed on drive, wide of mid on and it races
away effortlessly to the rope
14.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, leans well forward to a ball
flighted on a slightly shorter length from outside leg stump,
defends down in close on the leg side
14.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, one run, flighted full and drifting
well down the leg side again, flicked away down to long leg
14.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, no run, flighted up full and straight,
turned off the toes straight to short fine leg
14.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Vincent, no run, flighted up on a good length
just outside off stump, props forward, solidly defending down in
close on the off side
End of over 15 (7 runs) New Zealand 70/1 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 129/35 = 3.69)
Mohammad Hafeez 3-0-14-0 (2w) - Press Box End
SP Fleming 24* (54b 3x4) L Vincent 3* (7b)
the 15-over fielding restrictions are lifted, with New Zealand's
70/1 representing the best start of the tournament by any side,
comfortably, beating their own record of 63/1 in game two, also
against Pakistan
given the situation of the match, Latif may be forced to keep the
field up for a longer period to try and find another breakthrough
15.1 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, FOUR, super shot! Fleming getting in some
touch now, short ball outside off stump, stands back and lays into
it, playing a fine cut down just behind point, rockets away to the
rope
15.2 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease, punching it strongly down into the
covers, a good tumbling save there prevents thoughts of a quick
single
15.3 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, no run, Sami lets out an audible cry as
he really digs in a fast, short lifting ball outside off stump,
149kph, his fastest of the day, but it's a wasted effort as it's
left alone through to the keeper due to being too wide
15.4 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, one run, digs in another sharp shortish
lifting ball, angling on leg stump, tucked off the body down just
behind square on the leg side into space for a single
15.5 Mohammad Sami to Vincent, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
lifts the bat up high, shouldering arms through to the keeper
15.6 Mohammad Sami to Vincent, no run, attempted yorker, fast and very
full just outside off stump, jams the bat down on it, squeezing it
into the covers in defence
End of over 16 (5 runs) New Zealand 75/1 (RR: 4.69 RRR: 124/34 = 3.65)
Mohammad Sami 6-0-27-1 (5w 3nb) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 29* (58b 4x4) L Vincent 3* (9b)
time for a drinks break, New Zealand in command but a couple of
quick wickets could change everything, this game far from decided
yet
Match State: Drinks
16.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, finally Hafeez decides to come
around the wicket to the left-hander, flighted up just outside off
stump, leans well forward, defending down in close on the off side
16.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, quicker, fuller and straighter
ball, Fleming just squeezes it out in defence in close on the leg
side
16.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full outside off
stump, guides it away just behind point, looking for a quick run
but it's not on
16.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flights up a low, straight full
toss, firmly drives along the ground but straight up to mid on
16.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and drifting
on to the legs, strongly turns it away but straight to short fine
leg
16.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, oooh! very nicely flighted up
just outside off stump, Fleming props forward in defence, turns
just past the outside edge through to the keeper
End of over 17 (maiden) New Zealand 75/1 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 124/33 = 3.76)
Mohammad Hafeez 4-1-14-0 (2w) - Press Box End
L Vincent 3* (9b) SP Fleming 29* (64b 4x4)
the first maiden of the innings, though not without many
opportunities for Fleming to score runs, but kept picking out the
fielders!
Danish Kaneria on to bowl, replacing Sami at the Scoreboard End
17.1 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, nicely flighted up just outside
off stump, stretches well forward in defence, playing with bat/pad
down in close on the off side
17.2 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, well flighted up outside off
stump, reaches well forward again, goes straight on to the inside
edge, squirting away past the front pad on the leg side of the
pitch
17.3 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, lovely ball! gives it plenty of
air, lands it on a five cent piece, has Vincent groping forward at
it but never reaching it, gets plenty of bounce and turn, beats
the outside edge and into Latif's gloves
17.4 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, and another, this time flighted
up fuller, Vincent pushes hard at it, getting a thick outside edge
popping away in the air but falling short of the man at gully
17.5 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, flighted up a bit wider outside
off stump, leaves it alone through to the keeper
17.6 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, flighted up even fuller still,
Vincent reaches forward to turn it into a low full toss, paddles
it around the corner straight to short fine leg
End of over 18 (maiden) New Zealand 75/1 (RR: 4.17 RRR: 124/32 = 3.88)
Danish Kaneria 1-1-0-0 - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 29* (64b 4x4) L Vincent 3* (15b)
a great start by Kaneria, a maiden to begin with, that's two on the
trot for Pakistan, that's more like it if they want to build some
pressure, the current run rate is now being hauled back towards
the required rate
18.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full outside off
stump, leans forward, leaving alone through to the keeper
18.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, stretches well forward to a
straighter, flighted ball just outside off stump, turns into the
front pad as he covers up, rebounds away in close on the off side
18.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up invitingly outside
off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper as it slides
straight on with no turn
18.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, FOUR, shot! what a way to break a trot
of 17 straight dot balls! tossed up nicely outside off stump,
steps forward to the pitch of it and simply drives through the
line, lofting it straight down the ground on the leg side, with
mid on up, a safe stroke
18.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and straight,
props forward, defending down in close on the leg side
18.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, no run, flighted up invitingly full and
a bit wide outside off stump, lets it go through to the keeper
End of over 19 (4 runs) New Zealand 79/1 (RR: 4.16 RRR: 120/31 = 3.87)
Mohammad Hafeez 5-1-18-0 (2w) - Press Box End
L Vincent 3* (15b) SP Fleming 33* (70b 5x4)
19.1 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, lovely flighted ball sliding on
outside off stump, Vincent is caught in two minds, thrusting half
forward in defence late, taken on the knee roll and deflects away
to slip
now a silly point is brought into place, smart move by captain
Latif, put the new man under extra pressure
19.2 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, flighted up nicely just outside
off stump, props forward, more confidently defending down in close
on the off side
19.3 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, a slider, leans well forward to
cover up in defence with bat/pad tucked together, the pad leading,
stifled shout for lbw as he's struck well outside the line
19.4 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, very well flighted up outside
off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
19.5 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, FOUR, wonderful shot! Vincent relieves
pressure on himself with a great blow, dancing down the track to
meet a flighted ball outside off stump, driving magnificently
through extra cover, piercing the infield to perfection, glorious
19.6 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, dangerously shoulders arms to
the googly last ball however, taken high on the pad and brings a
hopeful shout for lbw from the bowler and keeper, didn't look like
it was turning back in enough and height in question, umpire
Harper is not interested
End of over 20 (4 runs) New Zealand 83/1 (RR: 4.15 RRR: 116/30 = 3.87)
Danish Kaneria 2-1-4-0 - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 33* (70b 5x4) L Vincent 7* (21b 1x4)
Latif rings the changes, now bringing on Saqlain Mushtaq-clone
Shoaib Malik for Hafeez at the Press Box End
20.1 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, flighted up full outside off
stump from around the wicket, driven with authority down the
ground to the man posted at long off
20.2 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
leans well forward, defending down in close on the leg side,
midwicket in to field
20.3 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, quicker, flatter ball drifting in
on the stumps, works it off the legs straight to square leg
20.4 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, tosses it up nicely on off stump,
Vincent is very watchful and smothers it in defence, killing it
with a dead bat shot into the pitch at his feet
20.5 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, legbye: one run, oooh! good ball! Vincent
is drawn well forward to an invitingly flighted straight ball,
turns sharply into the front pad, ballooning away just behind
point for a quick run
20.6 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, flighted up full on off stump,
leans well forward to defend into the pitch, bounces away at his
feet
End of over 21 (2 runs) New Zealand 85/1 (RR: 4.05 RRR: 114/29 = 3.93)
Shoaib Malik 1-0-1-0 - Press Box End
L Vincent 7* (25b 1x4) SP Fleming 34* (72b 5x4)
21.1 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, one run, drops it down a bit short
outside off stump, Vincent is able to rock back and punch it
strongly out to the cover sweeper
21.2 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, lovely ball, flighted up just
outside off stump, a googly and it turns sharply across the left-
hander and extracts plenty of bounce, squares Fleming up and beats
him, taken high on the leg, drops away in close on the off side
21.3 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and straight,
leans well forward, defending down in close on the off side
21.4 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, flighted up a bit straight,
drifting into the pads, swept strongly but straight to short fine
leg
21.5 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, flighted up full outside off
stump, leans forward, easing it straight to point
21.6 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, gives it more air, holding it
back more, has Fleming drawn well forward waiting for it to
arrive, quietly defends it down into the pitch at his feet
End of over 22 (1 run) New Zealand 86/1 (RR: 3.91 RRR: 113/28 = 4.04)
Danish Kaneria 3-1-5-0 - Scoreboard End
L Vincent 8* (26b 1x4) SP Fleming 34* (77b 5x4)
22.1 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up just outside off
stump, props well forward, defending down in close on the off side
22.2 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, similar again, flighted it up on a
probing length outside off stump, has Vincent reaching well
forward, taken high on the bat and drops down in close on the leg
side
22.3 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, one run, flighted up on off stump, sweeps
very fine, but there's a man posted fairly fine in the deep to
keep it down to one
22.4 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, nicely floated up just outside off
stump, has Fleming pushing forward loosely in defence, inside
edges into the front pad as it drifts in
22.5 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, similar again, a bit flatter and
straighter, Fleming is well forward, taken on the front pad and
the bowler tidies up himself
22.6 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, drops it in much shorter outside
off stump as it seems Shoaib saw Fleming's pre-ordained attempt at
a sweep on bended knee, Fleming as a result has to bail out of the
shot, leaving it alone through to the keeper
End of over 23 (1 run) New Zealand 87/1 (RR: 3.78 RRR: 112/27 = 4.15)
Shoaib Malik 2-0-2-0 - Press Box End
L Vincent 9* (29b 1x4) SP Fleming 34* (80b 5x4)
23.1 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, flighted up fairly wide outside
off stump, lets it go through to the keeper
23.2 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, no run, quicker and flatter, fairly
straight and Vincent tries to sweep from just outside off stump,
misses, turns into the front pad and drops away in close on the
leg side
23.3 Danish Kaneria to Vincent, one run, similar again but this time he
connects, very powerfully sweeping all the way along the carpet
out the man at deep backward square leg
23.4 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, SIX, great shot! a googly from Kaneria
but Fleming gets to the pitch of it, stepping down the track and
lofting it sweetly over long off, very little effort, certainly
didn't go hard at it, just did enough to see the ball pitch inches
over the rope
the boundary was moved in a couple of metres from previous games,
and that would've only been a four had they not been moved!
23.5 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, comes around the wicket now,
orthodox leg break sharply turns back in from outside off stump,
cramped up and defends down in close on the leg side
23.6 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, flighted up wider outside off
stump, a googly, Fleming doesn't really pick it, forces it
straight up to mid on as he reaches for it somewhat
End of over 24 (7 runs) New Zealand 94/1 (RR: 3.92 RRR: 105/26 = 4.04)
Danish Kaneria 4-1-12-0 - Scoreboard End
L Vincent 10* (32b 1x4) SP Fleming 40* (83b 5x4 1x6)
24.1 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up just outside off
stump, attempts to sweep but misses, turns into the front pad
24.2 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, one run, flatter ball turning in sharply
from outside off stump, goes right back in the crease and works it
away off the legs out to deep backward square leg
24.3 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, floated up outside off stump,
Fleming again tries a predetermined shot down on one knee, ends up
having to play a rather cramped, ugly pull/paddle, dragging it
straight to midwicket
24.4 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and straight,
firmly pushed straight back to the bowler in defence
24.5 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, SIX, cracking shot! Fleming gets into
attacking mode for sure now, flighted up invitingly just outside
off stump, goes down on one knee and powerfully launches it away
over midwicket, struck hard and flat to bring up the New Zealand
100 in style
24.6 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, a doosra, flighted up wider
outside off stump, nudged away to backward point in defence
End of over 25 (7 runs) New Zealand 101/1 (RR: 4.04 RRR: 98/25 = 3.92)
Shoaib Malik 3-0-9-0 - Press Box End
L Vincent 11* (34b 1x4) SP Fleming 46* (87b 5x4 2x6)
Fleming's double six strike brings the current run rate back above
the required, after having slipped just below the asking rate for
a couple of overs
Shabbir returns, replacing Kaneria at the Scoreboard End
25.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Vincent, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly back cut down to third man
25.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, good ball, digging in a short
rising ball just outside off stump, balloons up at Fleming quite
slowly, shaped to hook but bailed out, dropping the hands to let
it pass through to the keeper, umpire Harper says that's Shabbir's
one bouncer for the over
25.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, shortish ball straying down the
leg side, tries to pull it fine but misses, deflects off the hip
through to the keeper on the bounce
25.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, SIX, tremendous stuff! Fleming on the
charge now, short and straying down the leg side, Fleming rocks
inside it, using the pace and getting under it, pulling it hard
and high over deep backward square leg, easily clears the rope for
his third consecutive
six and brings up his 50 off 90 balls, 5x4, 3x6, just the fourth of
the tournament, and the first by a non-Pakistani batsman
25.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump,
steered down towards point in defence
25.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away just
outside off stump, leans forward, shouldering arms through to the
keeper
End of over 26 (7 runs) New Zealand 108/1 (RR: 4.15 RRR: 91/24 = 3.79)
Shabbir Ahmed 6-0-24-0 (2w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
L Vincent 12* (35b 1x4) SP Fleming 52* (92b 5x4 3x6)
26.1 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
leans well forward, turning it away towards midwicket in defence
26.2 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, one run, flighted up fuller just outside
off stump, reels out another of his favoured paddle strokes,
working it away down to fine leg to give the strike back to the
dominant Fleming
26.3 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, cheeky stuff from Fleming now!
for not the first time he gets down on to his knee to play a
predetermined paddle shot, and adjusts it well as Shoaib picks the
move and delivers it shorter and wider outside off stump, Fleming
manages to work it out to
deep square leg
26.4 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, oooh! Vincent dangerously tries to
sweep this one, it's much straighter, exposes his stumps as he
misses the stroke, but gets away with it as it turns and bounces
past leg stump
26.5 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up just outside off
stump, leans well forward, defending down in close on the off side
26.6 Shoaib Malik to Vincent, no run, flighted up much straighter,
defends down in close square on the leg side this time
End of over 27 (2 runs) New Zealand 110/1 (RR: 4.07 RRR: 89/23 = 3.87)
Shoaib Malik 4-0-11-0 - Press Box End
SP Fleming 53* (93b 5x4 3x6) L Vincent 13* (40b 1x4)
27.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
props forward in defence, playing it up towards mid off
27.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, leans
forward, defending quietly back on the leg side of the pitch
27.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Fleming, three runs, lovely shot, Fleming in fine
touch now, batting himself majestically into one-day form after a
mini-slump, fullish ball outside off stump, just leans into it and
caresses the ball away through a narrow gap at extra cover, Faisal
fumbles in the deep as
they come back for an easy third run
27.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Vincent, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
27.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Vincent, no run, similar again, happy to let it go
through to the keeper outside off stump
27.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Vincent, no run, and yet again, full and a bit
wider outside off stump but in an acceptable zone, left alone
through to the keeper to complete the over
End of over 28 (3 runs) New Zealand 113/1 (RR: 4.04 RRR: 86/22 = 3.91)
Shabbir Ahmed 7-0-27-0 (2w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 56* (96b 5x4 3x6) L Vincent 13* (43b 1x4)
28.1 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, oooh! shorter ball turning away
outside off stump, Fleming pats it firmly just forward of point,
they set off for a rather dicey quick single, Vincent has to dive
home as Younis darts across to his right from cover, flings it
next to the stumps to
Latif who breaks the bails, umpire Harper calls for the TV umpire
to check it out, and after many viewings the red light is flashed,
Vincent on his way
New Zealand 113/2, Partnership of 59
L Vincent run out (Younis Khan) 13 (43b 1x4 0x6)
a needless run really, this pair were cruising along with no
hassles, no point in dicing with death like that, the TV umpire
did take quite a long time to give a decision despite Vincent's
bat being quite a way short of the crease, he was probably
checking for whether Latif had broken the bails before he gloved
the ball, but in the end ruled in Pakistan's favour
Scott Styris the new batsman
28.2 Shoaib Malik to Styris, one run, Styris underway immediately,
flighted up full just outside off stump, leans forward, clipping
it away out to deep midwicket
28.3 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, flat, straight ball, leans well
forward to work it away into a gap at midwicket for another easy
run
28.4 Shoaib Malik to Styris, two runs, a neat shot from Styris as he
ticks it over early, leaning forward to a well flighted ball,
driving it into a gap wide of mid on for a very comfortable two
28.5 Shoaib Malik to Styris, no run, flighted up on a better length just
outside off stump, reaches well forward, defending down to the man
now posted in at silly point to put some pressure on the new man
28.6 Shoaib Malik to Styris, no run, advances down the track to a well
flighted ball, turns it into a low full toss, connects well but
drives it straight up to mid off
End of over 29 (4 runs) New Zealand 117/2 (RR: 4.03 RRR: 82/21 = 3.90)
Shoaib Malik 5-0-15-0 - Press Box End
SP Fleming 57* (98b 5x4 3x6) SB Styris 3* (4b)
Hafeez returns, replacing Shabbir at the Scoreboard End
29.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Fleming, one run, quicker ball pushed through,
strikes bat/pad simultaneously as he comes down on it late in
defence as it turns in from outside leg stump, tucked away into a
gap at square leg as a stifled shout for lbw falls on deaf ears
29.2 Mohammad Hafeez to Styris, no run, flighted up nicely but a touch
too straight, drifting into the pads, deflects off them straight
to short fine leg
29.3 Mohammad Hafeez to Styris, FOUR, shot! similar again, this time
Styris gets a deft touch on it from a line of middle and off,
wristily whipping it away wide of short fine leg, so well timed
that it gathers pace in the outfield and runs away from the
chasing fielder to the rope
29.4 Mohammad Hafeez to Styris, no run, flighted up full and straight,
firmly pushed straight up to mid on in defence
29.5 Mohammad Hafeez to Styris, no run, pushed through much fuller and
wider outside off stump, leaves it alone through to the keeper
29.6 Mohammad Hafeez to Styris, no run, shuffles back and across his
stumps to get in behind a flatter ball turning in from outside off
stump, works it away straight to midwicket
End of over 30 (5 runs) New Zealand 122/2 (RR: 4.07 RRR: 77/20 = 3.85)
Mohammad Hafeez 6-1-23-0 (2w) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 58* (99b 5x4 3x6) SB Styris 7* (9b 1x4)
30.1 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, flat, straight ball, pushed back
on the off side of the pitch in defence
30.2 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease, forcing it out to the deep cover
sweeper
30.3 Shoaib Malik to Styris, no run, nicely floated up just outside off
stump, takes all the pace off the ball, Styris pushes forward at
it early, takes an age to arrive, ball hitting bat rather than
vice-versa, drops down in close at his feet from a leading edge
30.4 Shoaib Malik to Styris, SIX, super shot! Styris comes out to the
middle and immediately shows his intent, advances down the track
to a flighted ball, picks it up on the half volley and smashes it
high, wide and handsome over long on, clearing the boundary by
quite some margin
Shoaib looks back at the batsman with a rather unimpressed glare
30.5 Shoaib Malik to Styris, no run, flatter ball turning in from off
stump, worked off the legs to midwicket, good diving stop made
there to prevent a single
30.6 Shoaib Malik to Styris, one run, similar flat ball turning in,
shuffles into line nicely in order to work it away off the legs
out to the midwicket sweeper
End of over 31 (13 runs) New Zealand 130/2 (RR: 4.19 RRR: 69/19 = 3.63)
Shoaib Malik 6-0-23-0 - Press Box End
SB Styris 14* (13b 1x4 1x6) SP Fleming 59* (101b 5x4 3x6)
Kaneria returns, replacing Hafeez after a single over at the Press
Box End
31.1 Danish Kaneria to Styris, no run, oooooooh! lovely flighted ball
outside off stump, turns away sharply from the groping outside
edge, bowler, keeper and slip go up in unison for caught behind,
pleading with umpire Harper but he says not out! looks like a good
decision going by the replay
31.2 Danish Kaneria to Styris, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
leaves it alone through to the keeper as it turns away
31.3 Danish Kaneria to Styris, FOUR, fine shot! advances a few paces
down the track to meet the pitch of it, playing a cracking lofted
drive over extra cover, hard and flat and just pitches inside the
rope
plenty of chances for a big hit with a reasonably attacking field
employed by Latif for obvious reasons
31.4 Danish Kaneria to Styris, no run, flighted up nicely outside off
stump, leans forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
31.5 Danish Kaneria to Styris, no run, leans well forward, shouldering
arms to a flighted ball, a googly, taken high on the pad, appeal
for lbw turned down, too high
31.6 Danish Kaneria to Styris, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper, turning away sharply
End of over 32 (4 runs) New Zealand 134/2 (RR: 4.19 RRR: 65/18 = 3.61)
Danish Kaneria 5-1-16-0 - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 59* (101b 5x4 3x6) SB Styris 18* (19b 2x4 1x6)
32.1 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, no run, flighted up full and straight,
props forward, turns into the front pad, played back to the bowler
32.2 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, quicker, flatter straight ball,
goes right back, working it away out to deep midwicket
32.3 Shoaib Malik to Styris, two runs, flighted up full and straight,
drives it nicely out to Kaneria at wide long on, running very well
to grab a second
32.4 Shoaib Malik to Styris, one run, flatter ball, waits for it to
arrive and turn in, nudged straight down to long on
32.5 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, two runs, flighted up full and straight,
driven down towards wide long on, another easy two jogged through
32.6 Shoaib Malik to Fleming, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
plays a lofted shot, dragging it across over midwicket, bounces
just short of the man roaming around in the deep
End of over 33 (7 runs) New Zealand 141/2 (RR: 4.27 RRR: 58/17 = 3.41)
Shoaib Malik 7-0-30-0 - Press Box End
SP Fleming 63* (105b 5x4 3x6) SB Styris 21* (21b 2x4 1x6)
33.1 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, wide: FOUR, flat ball turning down the
leg side, beats everyone and races down to the fine leg boundary
33.1 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, legbye: two runs, flighted up outside
off stump, deflects fine off the pad down towards straight third
man, runs coming thick and fast
33.2 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, thrusts forward in defence to a
quicker, full ball outside off stump, kicked away into the off
side
33.3 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, one run, a googly, but on the legs,
covers it well, working it into the gap at midwicket for an easy
single
33.4 Danish Kaneria to Styris, one run, oooh! shorter, flat ball, worked
around the corner to short fine leg, tight quick single taken, the
throw to the keeper's end isn't quite on target and Fleming gets
home
Latif is taken on the wrist it looks and he's in considerable pain
drinks are taken as the physio attends to Latif
Match State: Drinks
replacement keeper Yasir Hameed has taken the gloves now as Latif
receives treatment off the field
33.5 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
dabbed to backward point, Styris sets off for a run but Fleming
isn't interested, has to scamper back to the bowler's end
33.6 Danish Kaneria to Fleming, one run, flatter ball with some extra
bounce just outside off stump, taps it straight to short third
man, tight quick single taken, a direct hit at the keeper's end
but Styris is quick, no replay needed
End of over 34 (10 runs) New Zealand 151/2 (RR: 4.44 RRR: 48/16 = 3.00)
Danish Kaneria 6-1-24-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
SP Fleming 65* (110b 5x4 3x6) SB Styris 22* (22b 2x4 1x6)
replacement captain Yousuf Youhana makes a bowling change, Sami
returns, replacing Shoaib at the Press Box End
34.1 Mohammad Sami to Fleming, OUT: and he strikes first ball! shortish
rising ball outside off stump, Fleming tries to loft it over
midwicket but miscues it, skies it high in the air to cover,
Younis nearly makes a hash of it, falling back to the turf as he
just pouches it
New Zealand 151/3, Partnership of 38
SP Fleming c Younis Khan b Mohammad Sami 65 (111b 5x4 3x6)
SB Styris 22* (22b 2x4 1x6) Mohammad Sami 6.1-0-27-2 (5w 3nb)
Fleming not quite able to see the team through to the target, but
has got them a considerable way there, 48 needed with 7 wickets in
hand, it's New Zealand's game to lose from here
Chris Cairns the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the
batsmen crossed during the catch
34.2 Mohammad Sami to Styris, wide: no run, full and very wide down the
leg side, through to Latif who stops it on the bounce
34.2 Mohammad Sami to Styris, OUT: well well well! this certainly is New
Zealand's game to lose! a double strike in quick time for Sami as
Styris plays a loose shot too, driving at a widish full ball and
dragging a thick inside edge back on to off stump
New Zealand 152/4, Partnership of 1
SB Styris b Mohammad Sami 22 (23b 2x4 1x6)
CL Cairns 0* (0b) Mohammad Sami 6.2-0-28-3 (6w 3nb)
that took some effort to drag it back that far, the Pakistanis are
delighted and suddenly there's just the faintest of sniffs for the
"home" team (going by the predominantly Pakistani crowd, anyway!)
Jacob Oram the new batsman
34.3 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, oooh! almost takes a faux hat-trick,
a lovely quick full ball just a fraction outside off stump, Oram
gets into line too late and it shaves just past the outside edge
and off stump through to the keeper
34.4 Mohammad Sami to Oram, wide: no run, it's a barrel of everything
today from Sami though, sprays this one short and very wide
outside off stump, through to the keeper for extra number 36,
comfortably the second highest scorer for New Zealand
34.4 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, digs in a rather short ball just
outside off stump, Oram drops the hands and sways back out of the
way to let it pass through to the keeper, not much bounce from
that one, just passed through at chest height, awkward take for
Yasir, on the half volley
34.5 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, quick, fullish ball just outside off
stump, squirts it away to cover point from a thick edge as he
firmly drives
34.6 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, full and dead straight, Oram gets
into line well this time, very solidly defending up towards mid on
with a straight bat
End of over 35 (2 runs) New Zealand 153/4 (RR: 4.37 RRR: 46/15 = 3.07)
Mohammad Sami 7-0-29-3 (7w 3nb) - Press Box End
CL Cairns 0* (0b) JDP Oram 0* (4b)
excellent over from Sami and the crowd has exploded into life,
you'd think they had New Zealand 9 down with 46 needed, not 4
down! best atmosphere of the entire tournament
the pace slows down dramatically as substitute captain Youhana sets
about changing the field for Kaneria, and draw this out, adding to
the Kiwi nerves to see what they can manufacture from a seemingly
hopeless position
35.1 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, well flighted up full and
straight, leans well forward, covering up in defence, played back
on the leg side of the pitch
35.2 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, well flighted up outside off
stump, stretches well forward, defending in close on the off side
35.3 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, flighted up much wider outside
off stump, watches it turn away through to the keeper
35.4 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, a slider, shorter ball going
straight on with extra bounce just outside off stump, Cairns plays
late, tapping it down towards point in defence
35.5 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, very nicely flighted outside off
stump, nudges it down towards point in defence again
35.6 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, great ball! flighted up
beautifully outside off stump, bounce and turn, Cairns probes
forward at it, beaten all ends up, turns past the outside edge,
hopeful appeal for a catch behind the wicket is ignored
End of over 36 (maiden) New Zealand 153/4 (RR: 4.25 RRR: 46/14 = 3.29)
Danish Kaneria 7-2-24-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
JDP Oram 0* (4b) CL Cairns 0* (6b)
36.1 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, oooh! fine fullish ball angling away
from the left-hander outside off stump, drives and misses, no real
footwork there, quickest ball of the day at 150kph, through to the
keeper Yasir who optimistically appeals for a catch
36.2 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, good short lifting ball just outside
off stump, withdraws the bat inside the line to leave alone to the
keeper
36.3 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, another lovely ball! great line and
length hammering away just a fraction outside off stump, Oram
fishes at it, beaten through to the keeper to Sami's dismay,
really trying his heart out and doing an admirable job to be the
miracle worker
36.4 Mohammad Sami to Oram, wide: no run, tries a bit too hard this
time, pushing it very full down the leg side, Oram can't catch up
with it, through to keeper Yasir who does well as a substitute to
dive across to his right and stop it
36.4 Mohammad Sami to Oram, wide: no run, and another, extra number 38,
really letting Pakistan down, slower, and doesn't bounce as much
outside off stump, Oram cuts and misses, taken by the keeper on
the bounce
oh what a different game this would be right now if New Zealand had
26 fewer runs on their total at present (the number of wides and
no-balls)!
36.4 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, tries the yorker but it's just
outside off stump, jammed away into the covers in defence
36.5 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, fair length ball angling away just
outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
36.6 Mohammad Sami to Oram, (noball) no run, boy oh boy, extra number
39! oversteps this time, full and straight, defends from the
crease straight up to mid off
Sami guilty of most of the indiscretions, bowling an amazing 9
wides and 4 no-balls
36.6 Mohammad Sami to Oram, no run, at last the over comes to an end,
shortish ball on off stump, defends from the crease back on the
off side of the pitch
End of over 37 (3 runs) New Zealand 156/4 (RR: 4.22 RRR: 43/13 = 3.31)
Mohammad Sami 8-0-32-3 (9w 4nb) - Press Box End
CL Cairns 0* (6b) JDP Oram 0* (11b)
37.1 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, flighted up nicely outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper as it turns away
through to keeper Yasir
37.2 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, lovely ball! gives it plenty of
air just outside off stump, turns and bounces sharply, props
forward in defence holding the bat tucked into his front pad so
does well to let it go past through to the keeper
37.3 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
nudged away towards point in defence
37.4 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, and another lovely'un! this time
it goes straight on with extra bounce outside off stump, Cairns
plays at it late, beats the top edge through to the keeper
37.5 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, two runs, at last a run off the bat in
this partnership, Cairns neatly milking a flatter ball by whipping
it down towards wide long on, Oram hurries back for a comfortable
two to the danger end
37.6 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, no run, a googly, flatter and hurries on
to the top of the pads, loud shout for lbw but umpire Harper will
have none of that and calls over, heading down the leg side
End of over 38 (2 runs) New Zealand 158/4 (RR: 4.16 RRR: 41/12 = 3.42)
Danish Kaneria 8-2-26-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
JDP Oram 0* (11b) CL Cairns 2* (12b)
Razzaq returns after a long stint out of the attack, replacing Sami
at the Press Box End
38.1 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, no run, good length ball angling in from
outside leg stump, rapped on the pads, hopeful shout for lbw, led
by those mostly behind the stumps, pitched well outside leg and
doubtful it was even hitting the stumps
38.2 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, FOUR, a pressure reliever for New Zealand,
too short on leg stump and Oram whips it away very nicely through
wide midwicket, the leg side is sparsely populated and that one
has nobody to stop it in that region
38.3 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, FOUR, and another! Razzaq drops it in even
shorter and pays the price again, heaved away over the head of
midwicket and beats the man running across in the deep, well
struck
38.4 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, FOUR, three in a row! Razzaq's switch to come
around the wicket is no help as he dishes up a wide ball outside
off stump, hammered away through extra cover, great shot
38.5 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
firmly pushed into the covers
38.6 Abdul Razzaq to Oram, OUT: oh dear oh dear oh dear, more drama, it
seems like this is a game of who wants to win this the least! Oram
gets far too ambitious and tries to pull a shortish ball from well
outside off stump across the line, drags it straight to Younis at
New Zealand 170/5, Partnership of 18
JDP Oram c Younis Khan b Abdul Razzaq 12 (17b 3x4 0x6)
End of over 39 (12 runs) New Zealand 170/5 (RR: 4.36 RRR: 29/11 = 2.64)
Abdul Razzaq 3-0-20-1 (2w 1nb) - Press Box End
CL Cairns 2* (12b)
midwicket and the crowd go crazy again, it's all action in the last
half hour
Chris Harris strides to the crease with a tricky 29 required, 5
wickets in hand, the game is still New Zealand's to lose, but
going by the strokeplay employed in recent times, that's not
entirely out of the question!
39.1 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
leans well forward, driving it straight down to long on
39.2 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, leans well forward to a flighted
ball turning back in to the front pad, drops away in close on the
leg side
39.3 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, similar again, a little fuller on
off stump, leans well forward, defending it away to shortish
midwicket
39.4 Danish Kaneria to Harris, one run, attempted googly, turning in
from outside leg stump but Harris covers it well, tucking it down
in close square on the leg side, into a gap for a single, 27
needed
39.5 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, two runs, oooh, Cairns a bit lucky,
pushing forward softly at a lovely flighted delivery turning away,
gets an outside edge down into the ground, wide of first slip,
runs away fine, overhauled just inside the boundary at third man,
25 needed
39.6 Danish Kaneria to Cairns, FOUR, fine shot! Youhana brings in a
second slip as a result of the previous ball, but Cairns toys with
them this time as it's flighted up on off stump and he laps it
ever so fine down the leg side, races away to the rope
End of over 40 (8 runs) New Zealand 178/5 (RR: 4.45 RRR: 21/10 = 2.10)
Danish Kaneria 9-2-34-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
CZ Harris 1* (3b) CL Cairns 9* (15b 1x4)
it's been all action in Dambulla, runs, wickets, extras, you name
it, it's happening, New Zealand turning around the final bend,
heading for the home straight now, 21 runs required
Sami returns, replacing Razzaq at the Press Box End ... is he the
last great hope for an upset of the running favourite?
40.1 Mohammad Sami to Harris, legbye: one run, shortish ball on leg
stump, rebounds away off the hip as he tried to tuck it away,
drops away towards square leg, tight quick single as the throw is
fired just wide at the keeper's end
40.2 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, full outside off stump, very
strongly defends from the crease, playing with the full face, up
to mid off
40.3 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, one run, oooh! short and wide outside off
stump, Cairns slashes at it, getting a big thick edge high over
the slips, almost flies all the way down to third man on the full
as he gets under it, bounces just short and wide of the fielder
down there, 19 needed
40.4 Mohammad Sami to Harris, no run, oh boy oh boy oh boy! Harris
survives by the skin of his teeth, that's two of his nine lives
used up! good length, straight ball goes straight on into the
pads, huge shout for lbw but umpire de Silva says not out, just
pitching *fractionally* outside
leg, in the meantime Harris hovers in a confused state out of his
ground as there's a shy at the stumps from gully, just misses and
the replay shows he would've been a couple of inches short had it
hit!
40.5 Mohammad Sami to Harris, one run, dear oh dear, this game just gets
crazier and crazier! this time Harris drives a straight, full ball
back down the pitch to the bowler who fields it very well low down
on his follow through, Sami decides to throw down the stumps as
Harris gets back
safely, it ricochets away towards point and they steal a tight
single, with a shy just missing dislodging the remaining bail on
at the keeper's end, and that would've been darn tight too!
40.6 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, ooooooooooh man! Sami almost does
it again, fullish ball just outside off stump, Cairns pushes at it
away from his body from the crease, chopping an inside edge into
his pads, just away from the stumps
End of over 41 (3 runs) New Zealand 181/5 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 18/9 = 2.00)
Mohammad Sami 9-0-34-3 (9w 4nb) - Press Box End
CZ Harris 2* (6b) CL Cairns 10* (18b 1x4)
41.1 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, flighted up full and straight,
turning into the pad, balloons up in close on the leg side, the
keeper takes it and appeals very hopefully for a catch, umpire
Harper tells them not to be so frivolous
41.2 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, flighted up just outside off
stump, leans well forward, defending with the front pad leading,
played in close on the off side
41.3 Danish Kaneria to Harris, wide: no run, shorter ball turning down
the leg side, tries to work it fine but misses, extra number 41
41.3 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, flat ball sliding on just outside
off stump, defends from the crease, played back to the bowler
41.4 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, nicely flighted just outside off
stump, turning back in, again plays from back in the crease,
tapping it down towards cover point
41.5 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, flatter ball, much straighter,
tucked off the legs to short midwicket
41.6 Danish Kaneria to Harris, no run, flighted up full just outside off
stump, lunges well forward, turns into the front pad and rebounds
away into the covers
End of over 42 (1 run) New Zealand 182/5 (RR: 4.33 RRR: 17/8 = 2.12)
Danish Kaneria 10-2-35-0 (2w) - Scoreboard End
CL Cairns 10* (18b 1x4) CZ Harris 2* (12b)
Kaneria finishes his 10 over allotment, a pretty good spell it was
too, a beguiling mix of deliveries that had more than one or two
batsmen in a bit of a spin
Sami to bowl his last over now, pretty much Pakistan's final hope
with just 17 needed
42.1 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, FOUR, glorious shot! shortish ball outside
off stump, stands tall and plays a classic punching off drive off
the back foot, well wide of mid off and races away from the
chasing fielder, 13 needed
42.2 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, much fuller outside off stump,
Cairns middles this one superbly too, powerfully driven into the
turf, played straight to short cover on the bounce
42.3 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, beaten! a cracker of a sharp
shortish rising ball outside off stump, gets some late away
movement, Cairns fences at it well away from his body, drawn to it
like moth to flame, through to the keeper
42.4 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, FOUR, wonderful stuff from Cairns, a
similar shot to that on the first ball, stand tall and plays a
great back foot cover drive, perfectly timed
just 9 required now, New Zealand very much charging down the home
straight at last
42.5 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease, steered away to point in defence
42.6 Mohammad Sami to Cairns, no run, and a fine delivery to end his
spell, digging in a short one just outside off stump, moves away a
little late, Cairns wisely drops the hands and sways back out of
the line to let it pass through to the keeper
End of over 43 (8 runs) New Zealand 190/5 (RR: 4.42 RRR: 9/7 = 1.29)
Mohammad Sami 10-0-42-3 (9w 4nb) - Press Box End
CZ Harris 2* (12b) CL Cairns 18* (24b 3x4)
Sami finishes his 10 overs of blood, sweat and toil, keeping
Pakistan on the fringes of hope in this match, but his effort
alone won't be enough it would seem
Shabbir returns, replacing Kaneria at the Scoreboard End
43.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Harris, wide: two runs, extras number 42, 43 and
44, the story of Pakistan's day, short and wide and well down the
leg side, fine leg around in the deep to field inside the
boundary, New Zealand needing just 6 to win now
43.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Harris, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked
down towards midwicket in defence
43.2 Shabbir Ahmed to Harris, one run, good length ball angling on off
stump, worked away towards vacant square leg for a brisk single, 5
needed now
43.3 Shabbir Ahmed to Cairns, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
watchfully forward into line in defence, stroked straight up to
mid on
43.4 Shabbir Ahmed to Cairns, no run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, nudges it away towards point, Cairns wants the single but
Harris says no, sending his partner back before it's too late, a
shy at the keeper's end from side on misses anyway
43.5 Shabbir Ahmed to Cairns, no run, similar again, watchfully defends
a shortish ball from just outside off stump, down into the point
region
43.6 Shabbir Ahmed to Cairns, OUT: hoh boy! this game refuses to die!
Cairns goes for the big shot, perhaps trying to end the game in
one blow, but fails miserably as he attempts to hook a bouncer
from outside off stump, top edging it straight down Razzaq's
throat at fine leg
New Zealand 194/6, Partnership of 24
CL Cairns c Abdul Razzaq b Shabbir Ahmed 18 (28b 3x4 0x6)
End of over 44 (4 runs) New Zealand 194/6 (RR: 4.41 RRR: 5/6 = 0.83)
Shabbir Ahmed 8-0-31-1 (3w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
CZ Harris 3* (14b)
New Zealand still need 5 to win, and now just 4 wickets in hand,
they've certainly made this a lot harder than it needed to be,
Cairns walks off the field in a rather nondescript mood
Brendon McCullum the new batsman, at the non-striker's end
Hafeez returns, replacing Sami at the Press Box End
44.1 Mohammad Hafeez to Harris, one run, flat ball turning on off stump,
worked away into a gap at midwicket for an easy single, just a
boundary required for victory now
44.2 Mohammad Hafeez to McCullum, no run, very nicely flighted up just
outside off stump and drifting in, watchfully defends back down
the pitch to the bowler
44.3 Mohammad Hafeez to McCullum, no run, walks down the track to a
flatter ball, tucks it off the hip to square leg as it's not in
the slot to hit
44.4 Mohammad Hafeez to McCullum, no run, nicely flighted up outside off
stump, watchfully defends into the covers
44.5 Mohammad Hafeez to McCullum, no run, flatter ball turning in from
outside off stump, whips it away towards wide midwicket, unable to
pierce the tight infield
44.6 Mohammad Hafeez to McCullum, no run, similar again, this time
pushing it back on the leg side of the pitch, Hafeez darts across
to field himself, underarms it at the stumps at his end as Harris
steps back into his crease, almost conceding an overthrow before
the batsmen think better of
End of over 45 (1 run) New Zealand 195/6 (RR: 4.33 RRR: 4/5 = 0.80)
Mohammad Hafeez 7-1-24-0 (2w) - Press Box End
CZ Harris 4* (15b) BB McCullum 0* (5b)
attempting a tight run, and still this game refuses to die! still 4
needed off 5 overs
45.1 Shabbir Ahmed to Harris, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
nudged away forward of point for an easy single, 3 needed
45.2 Shabbir Ahmed to McCullum, FOUR, and there it is! New Zealand
finish it off, and the youngster McCullum does it in fitting
fashion, dispatching a full toss off his legs, away to the
midwicket boundary
New Zealand run out victors of the Bank Alfalah Cup by four
wickets, just their second One-Day International tournament
victory in their history!
it comes just over two and a half years after their one and only
previous victory, at the ICC KnockOut in Kenya in October 2000 -
that coming 27 years after playing their first One-Day
International!
please join us shortly for a full summary of the match, including
the presentation ceremony for the trophy winners, runners-up and
various man of the match and series type awards
until then, we hope you enjoyed Wisden CricInfo's coverage of
today's match, any comments you have about it can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
their team may have lost but the Pakistani-dominated crowd continue
to cheer boisterously nonetheless, adding a great atmosphere,
particularly towards the end of the game in a bit of a tense
finish
the player walk from the field, with Harris and McCullum clutching
souvenir stumps, all the New Zealanders walk out from the dressing
room to shake hands with the Pakistan side
the relatively inexperienced Pakistanis certainly didn't disgrace
themselves today, battling gallantly to the death in a losing
cause, with no-one exemplifying that spirit moreso than Mohammad
Sami
time for the presentations now ...
emcee and current Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Rameez
Raja introduces a raft of officials, sponsors and dignitaries
Younis Khan has won a brand new TVS motorbike for hitting the most
fours in the match, with seven
Stephen Fleming is named batsman of the match and also Man of the
Match
next comes two rather confusing awards ... Man of the Series and
Most Valuable Player - the difference between the two of them is
not easy to decipher!
Shoaib Malik is named Man of the Series, and receives a trophy for
his efforts, while Daniel Vettori is named Most Valuable Player
and wins a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer car!
Pakistan captain Rashid Latif says a few words, congratulating the
New Zealanders on their victory, and conceding that giving away 44
extras was just far too many to be seriously competitive
he also praises the younger members of his own side, but has also
spotted areas of the game where they can improve, and suggests
Yasir is a bright star to look for in the future, and also
mentions Sami, Kaneria and Shoaib Akhtar in a positive light
Fleming steps up to say a few things too, including an obligatory
'full credit' to the opposition and also their coach Javed
Miandad, and is looking forward to seeing them down in New Zealand
later in the year for a full Test and ODI series
that wraps up the presentation ceremony, and indeed the Bank
Alfalah Cup, coming to an end after 7 torrid matches in trying
conditions at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, though
the best was saved for last
we hope you enjoyed Wisden CricInfo's coverage of the tournament,
and please join us for continued coverage of every international
match as it happens, ball-by-ball, including the current England v
Zimbabwe Test match at Lord's
but otherwise it's goodbye from Dambulla, any comments about our
coverage can be sent to comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is
greatly appreciated