Pakistan register warm-up victory against New Zealand
Men in green win by six-wickets in WorldTwenty20 preparatory tie.
Kamran Akmal’s 52 helped Pakistan overhaul the 146-run target while Umar Gul’s three wickets aided in restricting New Zealand’s score. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan got off to a good start in their preparations ahead of the main round of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament as they defeated New Zealand by six wickets in a closely fought match played in Mirpur, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Hafeez’s men were set a target of 146 by New Zealand after captain Brendon McCullum decided to give his batsmen a run on an easy-paced wicket.
The makeshift opening pair of Kamran Akmal (52) and Sharjeel Khan (12) added 38 runs for the first wicket. Left-handed Sharjeel once again flattered to deceive as the Hyderabad batsman holed out in the deep attempting a big shot early in his innings.
Akmal, on the other hand, was in no mood to squander the opportunity of cementing his spot in the playing eleven for the first match against India set to take place at the same venue on March 21. He struck two sixes and six fours in his innings before retiring.
Hafeez also made the most of good conditions, scoring 55 off only 39 balls and clearing the ropes five times during his innings.
After a mid-innings stutter, Sohaib Maqsood (16) and Shoaib Malik (8) ensured a six-wicket win in the last over of the innings.
New Zealand throw away good start
New Zealand threw away a good start after opting to bat first in batting friendly conditions. The Black Caps had reached 61 for two inside nine overs when Zulfiqar Babar sent Ross Taylor (9) back.
The innings faltered from there; apart from in-form captain Brendon McCullum (59), none of the batsmen succeeded in making a significant contribution.
McCullum held the innings together in his 45-ball knock that included four sixes and three fours, Colin Munro chipped in with 20 runs.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Talha made good use of the new ball, snaring two wickets off his three overs. Sohail Tanvir was expensive in his four-over quota; the left-armer conceded 43 runs and accounted for Nathan McCullum (4).
Meanwhile, Umar Gul had a good outing with the ball; the pacer took three wickets and made good use of the semi-new ball.
Saeed Ajmal, Babar and Bilawal Bhatti claimed a wicket each. Pakistan rested Ahmed Shehzad while all-rounder Shahid Afridi joined the team in the morning of the match; he is expected to play in the second warm-up against South Africa on March 19 as Pakistan hope to build momentum.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.