NZ A win final match

The final contest in the Top End series was played between New Zealand A and Pakistan A in Cairns yesterday.

New Zealand A batted first, and started well, with Jamie How scoring 48, and Hamish Marshall scoring 38. However, the middle order was bamboozled by the three Pakistani slow bowlers, Adbur Rehman, Mohammad Hafeez and Mansoor Amjad. Between them they shared eight of the wickets.

This restricted New Zealand to 222 in 49.4 overs, and it seemed like the scales were tipped towards Pakistan winning the match.

However, Pakistan never really got into the groove, with fast bowlers Warren McSkimming and Mark Orchard doing the damage early on. This sustained pressure enabled New Zealand A to turn the screws in the field, with four run outs being achieved, including opener Mohammad Hafeez who was run out for 39.

Pakistan were all out in the 48th over for 172.

New Zealand A 222 (49.4 overs)
Jamie How 48, Hamish Marshall 38
Mohammad Hafeez 3-44, Mansoor Amjad 3-40

New Zealand A won by 50 runs

Pakistan A 172 (47.2 overs)
Mohammad Hafeez 39, Mohammad Salman 33
Warren McSkimming 2-15, Mark Orchard 2-18