Kiwis pack off Pak, clinch series

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Hamilton, Dec. 28: New Zealand wrapped up their Twenty20 cricket series against Pakistan with a match to spare when they blasted their way to a 39-run win in the second match here on Tuesday.

Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan were the principal contributors to a 79-run onslaught in five overs which swung the match New Zealand’s way in the second half of their innings of 185 for seven.

Pakistan made a valiant start to the run chase and were 58 for one after six overs before their batting was robbed of its impetus by the twin-spin attack in the middle eight overs.

Man-of-the-match Nathan McCullum took four for 16 off his four overs while debutant Luke Woodcock took none for 20 and at the close of their innings Pakistan were 146 for nine.

It was a good recovery for New Zealand who lost the toss, were sent in to bat on an unfavourable wicket and immediately lost opener Jesse Ryder on the first ball of the match. But from then, the New Zealand were in control with Martin Guptill and James Franklin starring in a 90-run stand for the second wicket.

“It was a good performance right from Guptill and Franklin’s stand,” said New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, adding his side has wants to keep the winning streak going after recent series losses against India and Bangladesh. “We’ve had a few go against us in the recent past so we would like to go for the whitewash. We want to improve with every game,” Taylor added.

Guptill, who blazed 54 from 29 balls in the first match, compiled a brisk 44, including three sixes and three fours.

Scorecard

New Zealand

J. Ryder c Akmal b Razzaq 0, Guptill c Afridi b Ajmal 44, J. Franklin c Akmal b Afridi 40, R. Taylor n.o. 30, S. Styris c Shehzad b Akhtar 34, P. McGlashan lbw Riaz 26, N. McCullum c Shafiq b Ajmal 1, K. Mills st Akmal b Ajmal 0

Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-4, nb-1) 10
Total (in 20 overs) 185/7
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-91, 3-94,
4-133, 5-175, 6-184, 7-185
Bowling: Razzaq 2-0-12-1, Akhtar 4-0-42-1, Gul 3-0-47-0, Riaz 3-0-22-1, Afridi 4-0-22-1, Ajmal 4-0-35-3

Pakistan
Md. Hafeez run out 46, S. Afridi b Mills 7, A. Shehzad c Styris b Butler 15, U. Akmal c McCullum b Southee 26, Y. Khan c McGlashan b McCullum 3, A. Shafiq b McCullum 6, A. Razzaq c McGlashan b McCullum 14, U. Gul c Guptill b McCullum 0, W. Riaz c McCullum b Southee 18, S. Akhtar n.o. 5, S. Ajmal n.o. 0
Extras (lb 5, w 1) 6
Total (in 20 overs) 146/9
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-68, 3-69, 4-76, 5-96, 6-114, 7-114, 8-141, 9-141
Bowling: Franklin 1-0-10-0, Mills 3-0-34-1, Southee 4-0-26-2, Butler 4-0-35-1, Woodcock 4-0-20-0, McCullum 4-0-16-4

Pic Caption:
New Zealand’s James Franklin (left) avoids a ball watched by Umar Gul of Pakistan during their Twenty20 match at the Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Tuesday.