Super Eights: New Zealand v Pakistan
at Fardin Qayyumi Cricket Centre
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
Peter Fulton surprised everyone by coming up with a belligerent 118 not out to propel New Zealand to what at several stages looked like an unlikely victory. The New Zealander finally made his talent show as Pakistan were batted out of the park, though Pakistan will be disappointed having failed to convert their advantage of batting first on a true pitch.
Despite scoring plenty of runs off Shane Bond in the opening overs, Bond grabbed the wicket of Shoaib Malik, and opening partner Imran Farhat was run out, the start did suddenly not look all that promisig. Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf compiled fine innings, however, but were a little cautious, perhaps due to the two wickets down on the scoreboard. As such, boundaries were few and far between, and even a nine-ball over from Daniel Vettori (including three wides) didn't up the run rate significantly. Then, Younis and Yousuf fell in the same over to Vettori, and the innings fizzled out somewhat due to fine death bowling from New Zealand.
When New Zealand batted, there was immediate trouble. Akhtar and Gul exploited the new ball to similar effect as Bond and Mills, with Nathan Astle run out early. Somehow, however, Lou Vincent survived, and went on to build a fine foundation with Peter Fulton, as New Zealand went past 100 with ease. Only the introduction of spin into the attack began to yield wickets, as Malik grabbed three, but at the same time Fulton showed considerable ease against the spinners, attacking them and on occasion hitting valuable sixes. Thus, although they had taken plenty of wickets and aided a crash from 127 for one to 145 for five, they also conceded so many runs that Inzamam brought on Asif in the 40th over, and never looked to his two spinners again.
Nevertheless, Asif and Gul provided a wide in each of the next three overs, and though Gul then got McCullum, that proved a blessing for New Zealand. He was tugging them down - scoring 13 runs of the 56 in the partnership - while Oram had his eyes firmly set on the target of 52 off 44 - after he'd played out the first two dot balls anyway.
Nevertheless, with four overs to go, New Zealand required 34, with Shoaib Akhtar - on 8-1-24-0 - coming in to bowl his ninth over. First ball: wide down the leg side to Oram. Attempting again, Oram dug out a single to fine leg. Then followed two thumping drives from Fulton: equation down to 24 off 21. Oram back on strike as Akhtar is supposed to finish the over - and it's another leg side delivery. Akhtar had conceded 12, Fulton had got his century, and the game was back on.
Then followed a massive hoik from Oram in the next over, yielding a six, and suddenly New Zealand required thirteen off twelve. Akhtar came in for his tenth over - and once again caused uproar among the Pakistani fans. Fulton, elated with his century, chipped back a simple return catch...which Akhtar spilled, letting the ball go to long on, while Fulton and Oram crossed for the single. Despite beating Oram twice outside off, he then bowled a short delivery which Fulton hoiked for six - and the game was all but over. New Zealand cruised in to win with four balls to spare, with Fulton having recorded a massive 118.
Pakistan 251 for 7 (50 overs) lost to
New Zealand 252 for 6 (49.2 overs) by four wickets
Man of the Match: Peter Fulton
Live sim of CW XI v Australia to follow soon.
) Live sim in 24 hours, mainly because I've got three matches to catch up with, and because I guess there ought to be some warning to people, and because noon my time appears to be a time when a fair few people are on.
) to knock them off
Good stuff guys
