Pakistan displayed its indomitable batting prowess by achieving a fabulous victory over the Black Caps in a thrilling encounter at Sharjah. New Zealand offered Pakistan a challenging target of 267 runs and almost no one thought that Pakistan could achieve it with such immaculate ease.

While Shahid Afridi laid the foundations of the triumph with a storming innings of 70, Saeed Anwar (81) in 75 balls and Inzamam (71) in 90 balls built up the tempo for this great victory. As a result Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets. The manner in which the three batsmen punished the bowlers and enthralled the crowd was a display of batting par excellence.

The two teams confronted each other in the ARY Gold Cup, after an exciting series that ended in New Zealand just a month ago.

Today, the Black Caps won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch expected to help the batsmen on a hot and humid day.

Chris Nevin and Mathew Sinclair started aggressively reaching a run rate of 6.28 when Pakistan achieved their first break through by dismissing Nevin when the total was 45, providing young Mohammad Sami his 1st wicket in Sharjah.

The 2nd wicket fell when Mathew Bell departed at the total of 71. After 15 overs the Black Caps were 81 for 2. A little later Sinclair completed a brilliant half-century with 5 fours, while the 100 of the innings was hoisted in 19 overs. At least three easy catches were dropped during this phase of play and the Pakistan fielding was as hopeless as ever.

The duo of off spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Malik was introduced but made no impact on the Sinclair - McMillan partnership. Pinch hitter cum leg spinner Shahid Afridi came in to bowl and made Craig McMillan edge the ball into his stumps after scoring a useful cameo of 46. He claimed his second victim by trapping Lou Vincent lbw with the scoreboard showing 186 for 4. Sinclair continued his dominating innings in resolute fashion.

Sinclair completed his long journey to a well-deserved maiden ODI century in the 43rd over. With the total at 207 he could now go for quick runs but the bowlers did not permit the free flow. At 251 and only 2 overs to go, Sinclair playing his heroic knock was beautifully caught by Shoaib Malik off Razzaq for a superb 117. He thus missed the honor of carrying the bat by just a small margin. The New Zealand innings ended at 266 for 7, a very challenging total. Waqar, Razzaq and Afridi shared 2 wickets each.

Chasing 267, Pakistan opened with Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir, relegating Saeed Anwar to the 3rd slot. With Afridi plundering 12 runs in the first over including a mighty six, it was a volcanic start. With two more towering sixes by Afridi and a few fours the first 5 overs yielded 46 runs.

Afridi was now on the rampage, 47 runs came off the next two overs. The pinch hitter hoisted his 50 in 24 balls with 5 sixes and 4 fours. Pakistan piled up 83 without loss in 8 overs. The flurry of bullet like shots, all over the field brought Pakistan's 100 in 10.3 overs. Shahid Afridi (66) was entertaining the large crowd with a most enjoyable feast of strokes. Imran Nazir giving him valuable support with a sedate 27.

Afridi's gigantic innings of 70 scored in 43 balls ended when he holed out at the total of 113 in 15 overs, giving Black Caps their first break. Imran Nazir (35) went at the same score lbw to a flying delivery from Brooke Walker. Staying at the crease the youngster had given a tremendous support to Afridi.

Saeed Anwar and Inzamam the two most experienced batsmen in the side were now left to carry on. Runs continued adding up but in a different style. The flying shots changed over to ground strokes bringing down the rate of scoring and reducing the level of excitement as well. After 25 overs Pakistan was 171 for 2 with Inzamam (38) and Saeed Anwar (20), who later caught up with Inzamam by hitting a number of fours and a straight six.

Unfortunately, New Zealand did feel the absence of Daryl Tuffey and their attack lacked the necessary punch to reduce the run rate and looked pretty lackluster today.

Pakistan cruised along to an impressive victory with both batsmen getting their half centuries in the 36th over. It was Inzamam's 57th and Saeed Anwar's 37th half century in one-day cricket. With the total at 217 for 2 they reverted to a hitting spree again, accumulating runs through fours and sixes, punishing every bowler and receiving thundering applause from the crowd.

With the two batsmen at their sparkling best Pakistan needed 17 runs to win in 10 overs. A smashing boundary to cover point by Saeed brought Pakistan a fabulous victory. Pakistan ended up with 270 runs for the loss of 2 wickets, defeating the Black Caps by 8 wickets with 7.5 overs to spare. Shahid Afridi was deservedly declared `Man of the Match'.

© CricInfo