Dubai, Nov 12: Audacious batting display by Imran Nazir saw Pakistan posting a challenging target of 161 runs against New Zealand in their first T-20 match at Dubai Sports City cricket stadium here on Thursday.
The initial movement, especially in the first over by Shane Bond, could not deter the spirits of the opening batting combination of Nazir and Kamran Akmal, who took the Kiwi bowlers to cleaning from the third over itself. Akmal was in full flow and hit two back-to-back fours off Bond. Nazir followed his partner with two consecutive sixes off Ian Butler’s first two deliveries.
Kiwis tasted their first blood when Akmal’s (13 off 15 balls) lofted shot found the hands of make-shift captain McCullum. But it hardly affected the plans of Nazir, who continued his hammering on Butler, hitting two fours and a six off his second over. Seasoned Scott Styris provided the second breakthrough when he enticed Umar Akmal (3 off 6 balls) to hit him over the top. The ball went straight up in the air and Bradley-John Watling — debutant wicket-keeper — took a brilliant catch running backwards.
Shahid Afridi made his intention clear when he hit a 104-meter six over long-on off Styris. Nazir, meanwhile, completed his half-century with a flat six over long-on. But, he could not continue for a long time and ballooned a wide delivery off Bond at third man. His strokeful 58 runs came off just 38 balls with five fours and four sixes.McCullum’s gamble to ask Aaron Redmond bowl in the middle overs paid-off when the part-time leggy got the experienced duo of Afridi and Shoaib Malik. Tim Southee took a brilliant catch just inches within the boundary on long-off to send Afridi back, while Malik gave a straight forward chance to Redmond, who grabbed it with both hands.
Afridi scored a quick fire 24 off 16 deliveries, while Malik contributed with only six runs. Abdul Razzaq and Sohail Tanvir provided the late impetus to the innings that finished on 161 with eight wickets down. Razzaq remained unbeaten on 26 while left-hander Tanvir hit a quick fire 12.
Bond was the most economical and effective of the six bowlers tried by McCullum. He took two wickets and gave away 17 runs. Tim Southee picked up three wickets for the Kiwis.
The initial movement, especially in the first over by Shane Bond, could not deter the spirits of the opening batting combination of Nazir and Kamran Akmal, who took the Kiwi bowlers to cleaning from the third over itself. Akmal was in full flow and hit two back-to-back fours off Bond. Nazir followed his partner with two consecutive sixes off Ian Butler’s first two deliveries.
Kiwis tasted their first blood when Akmal’s (13 off 15 balls) lofted shot found the hands of make-shift captain McCullum. But it hardly affected the plans of Nazir, who continued his hammering on Butler, hitting two fours and a six off his second over. Seasoned Scott Styris provided the second breakthrough when he enticed Umar Akmal (3 off 6 balls) to hit him over the top. The ball went straight up in the air and Bradley-John Watling — debutant wicket-keeper — took a brilliant catch running backwards.
Shahid Afridi made his intention clear when he hit a 104-meter six over long-on off Styris. Nazir, meanwhile, completed his half-century with a flat six over long-on. But, he could not continue for a long time and ballooned a wide delivery off Bond at third man. His strokeful 58 runs came off just 38 balls with five fours and four sixes.McCullum’s gamble to ask Aaron Redmond bowl in the middle overs paid-off when the part-time leggy got the experienced duo of Afridi and Shoaib Malik. Tim Southee took a brilliant catch just inches within the boundary on long-off to send Afridi back, while Malik gave a straight forward chance to Redmond, who grabbed it with both hands.
Afridi scored a quick fire 24 off 16 deliveries, while Malik contributed with only six runs. Abdul Razzaq and Sohail Tanvir provided the late impetus to the innings that finished on 161 with eight wickets down. Razzaq remained unbeaten on 26 while left-hander Tanvir hit a quick fire 12.
Bond was the most economical and effective of the six bowlers tried by McCullum. He took two wickets and gave away 17 runs. Tim Southee picked up three wickets for the Kiwis.
did not see the match.... but nw i think i did not miss much since i have ur article to read about it..... :)
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