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Deadly bowling by Umar Gul

S. Dinakar

Pakistan posts a comprehensive win over New Zealand

London: A rejuvenated Pakistan moved closer to a place in the semifinals with a comprehensive six-wicket win over New Zealand in a Group ‘F’ Super Eight match of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Oval on Saturday.

Man-of-the-Match Umar Gul conjured up the first five-wicket haul by any bowler in Twenty20 Internationals as New Zealand, electing to bat, was bowled out for 99. Despite a slight hiccup, Pakistan was home in the 14th over.

The pitch at the Oval was firm, with the ball coming on to the bat and the skill-level of the Pakistani bowlers proved a decisive factor.

Breezy knock

Debutant opener Shahzaib Hasan impressed for Pakistan with a breezy 35 before setting off for a non-existent run and returning to the pavilion.

The right-hander’s footwork was in order as he lofted Daniel Vettori over long-off for the maximum. Shahzaib also cut and pulled paceman Ian Butler.

Kamran Akmal, the other opener, struck a straight six off paceman Kyle Mills before being held at deep square-leg off the same bowler.

Wily left-armer Vettori, in his first match of the competition, bowled with craft and guile. He consumed, both, Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Malik, with flight and turn.

Afridi (29 not out) celebrated his promotion in the batting order with an entertaining knock. Pakistan was a runaway winner.

Superb display

Earlier, Gul fired in those deadly yorkers and varied his pace and length to flummox the batsmen and finish with five for six.

The Pakistanis displayed passion and intensity in front of thousands of supporters.

Styris was the top-scorer for New Zealand with 22. The Kiwis were unable to put together partnerships of any kind.

Pace-bowling all-rounder Abdul Razzaq struck first for Pakistan, dismissing the dangerous Brendon McCullum, who was picked up at point. This was a crucial strike by Razzaq for whom the match marked a return to international cricket.

Afridi choked the Kiwi scoring rate and scalped the big-hitting Jacob Oram, who stepped down the track only to miscue an attempted lusty blow. New Zealand never quite recovered from these blows. The Pakistanis celebrated.

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