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1st ODI : Styris destroys Pakistan

Sunday, January 4 2004

1st ODI, New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland.

A phenomenal performance from all rounder Scott Styris has guided New Zealand to a tense 4 wicket win in the 1st one dayer against Pakistan.

Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss & inserted Pakistan on a wicket expected to offer some early life, Daryl Tuffey was unusually wayward, however a tight spell from Jacob Oram soon reaped rewards as the burly all rounder bowled Yasir Hammed for 19, Imran Farhat met the same fate at the hands of Chris Cairns 3 overs later.

The visitors struggled to build any momentum from this point on as Scott Styris bowled with superb control, tying down big hitter Shoaib Malik before having him caught behind for just 4 & picking up Saleem Elahi for a scrathcy 20. Yousuf Youhana fell victim to Oram for 5.

At 5-84 in the 27th over Pakistan were staring down the barrel, however skipper Inzamam & the experienced Moin Khan gradually began the recovery, the skipper was bowled by Styris for 19 but all rounder Abdul Razzaq continued right where his captain had left off, blasting a quickfire 22 in a 63 run stand with Khan.

Some massive hitting from Azhar Mahmood & Khan saw Pakistan take 46 from the final 17 balls of the innings, Khan finishing on a masterly 72 (68 balls, 8 fours, 1six), while Mahmood hit 2 sixes & 2 fours in his unbeaten 26 from just 10 balls.

Styris with 3-34 & Oram 2-28 were clearly the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, while Andre Adams (1-63 from 9) was expensive in the final overs.

229 seemed a very competitive total at the halfway mark on a lively surface.

New Zealand started poorly, loosing Craig Cumming to a run out for just 1, skipper Fleming & Hamish Marshall made slow but steady progress until Marshall was deceived by Shabbir Ahmed for 14.

Scott Styris walked to the crease at 2-35 & immediately showed composure, sharing an invaluable 67 run stand with his skipper.

A frustrated Fleming eventually bowed to the pressure & was caught by Sami off Mahmood for 45 (5 fours).

Craig Mcmillan never looked convincing during his brief stay & was deceived by the economical Malik for 12, Chris Cairns then met a similar fate & Jacob Oram was caught behind off Razzaq.

Leaving New Zealand with a challenging 74 required from 10 overs, however Styris made sure the Black Caps would not die wondering, taking to all the bowlers, Abdul Razzaq in particular as the Kiwi’s made the runs with 5 balls to spare, Brendon McCullum providing invaluable support with his unbeaten 13, Styris finished on 101 (103 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes). His second ODI hundred.

All the Pakistani bowlers suffered with the exception of Shoaib Malik who claimed a tidy 2-28.

Match Summary

Pakistan 7-229 (M.Khan 72*(68), Styris 3-34)

New Zealand 6-230 (Styris 101*(108), Fleming 45(86), Malik 2-28)

New Zealand won by 4 wickets with 5 balls to spare.
Man of the Match: Scott Styris

Posted by DavidH