Black Caps Beat Pakistan by 1 Run!
Report
In a humdinger of a match, Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 133/7 and fell just one run short in a chase that had more twists and turns than the Monaco racetrack. Needing one run to tie off the final ball, Abdur Rehman made tha fatal error of hitting the ball in the air and was caught in the deep. It was easily the most exciting match of the tournament so far.
The result probably knocks out defending chapions Pakistan who have lost both of the Super Eights matches they have played. Winning their third and final encounter against South Africa gives them a slim chance of going through, but they would need other results and net run-rate to go their way.
Ian Butler was handed the Man of the Match Award after his bowling effort of 3/19 in four overs halted the Pakistanis in their tracks. Salman Butt carried his bat for a handsome (67*, 54b, 8×4, 1×6) but his innings came in vain as he was not able to hold onto the strike for the final ball of the innings, on which Butler dismissed Rehman.
Whilst the match boasted about ten turning points, the dismissal of Shaid Afridi was unquestionably the most notable. Afridi and Butt seemed to be on top of the chase at 55 for four when Nathan McCullum held a stonker of a catch running in from the deep. Or did he? At first glance the catch looked clean, and Afridi walked. But replays were inconclusive and the local radio station that broadcasts the matches live – Gospel FM – was incensed. Which is pretty funny, really!
B McCullum (33, 29b, 5×4), Vettori (38*, 34b, 1×4, 2×6) and Styris (21, 17b, 1×4, 1×6) saved New Zealand from posting a pathetic target. Pacemen Sami and Aamer were useful but it was Pakistan’s four spinners, Afridi, Hafeez, Ajmal and Rehman who restricted the opposition to around a run-a-ball during their 14 overs,
As ever, Vettori’s captaincy was excellent as he kept fielders close to build up pressure. Abdul Razzaq (29, 29b, 1×4, 3×6) offered Butt some assistance but he was the only one and the Pakistani’s fell tantalisingly short of the modest total. What a game.
Quotes
Daniel Vettori: We kept ourselves in with a spirited bowling performance. We kept attacking, the bowling changes worked, and it worked for us. It was always going to be tough work against the quality of Pakistan spinners, and we knew once we got to 133 we were in.”
Shahid Afridi: “A great game of cricket, we all enjoyed. Salman Butt played a mature innings, New Zealand bowlers bowled really well. So did rehman, Hafeez and Ajmal.”
what a finish. Just what this tournament needed. New Zealand were so spirited in the defence. Spare a thought for Salman Butt, who hit two boundaries in the last over, despite his limitation against the short ball, which earner New Zealand two dot balls in the last over. And what a choice to bring in Mills, Butler, Rehman and Sami for this game: between them they took nine wickets, and Butt took the decisive one.
