Umar Gul blows Black Caps away
Pakistan cruised to a six-wicket win over New Zealand at the Oval, with seven overs to spare.
Having bowled out New Zealand for 99, thanks to Umar Gul’s 5/6, the best figures in the history of international Twenty20, the run chase was a formality, despite a determined effort in the field from Daniel Vettori’s side.
Gul, already the most successful bowler in the history of international Twenty20, was not even introduced to the attack until the 13th over, but proceeded to finsih off a New Zealand side was already on the ropes and reeling.
Brendon McCullum had started the innings with a four off the first ball from teenage pacer Mohammad Amir; the first over went for 14. But when McCullum went for 12 in the second over – trapped lbw by Abdul Razzaq, returning after two years’ out – it began a procession of Black Caps wickets.
The only partnership of any length was that between Scott Styris and Jacob Oram – but their four overs at the crease brought just 18 runs as shahid Afridi (1/17) and Saeed Amjal (o/24) applied the brakes. New Zealand – lacking Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder, after McCullum, their two best batsmen – had already suffered the first maiden of the tournament, bowled by Abdul Razzaq – drafted in to replace the erratic Sohail Tanvir – and finished the Powerplay on just 37/3.
Worse, though, was to follow.
Twice Gul was on a hat-trick. He picked up Styris – to a magnificent catch from Shahid Afridi, sprinting back towards the boundary under a high ball – and McGlashan – leg before sweeping – with the third and fourth balls of his spell. Then Gul switched ends to clean bowl Nathan McCullum.
In the 18th over of the innings, Gul again picked up two in two, bowling Franlin with a ball that seamed back in – and having Mills caught off a leading edge from a ball that seamed away from him.
Gul, bowling at 85-87 mph, moving the ball both ways from just the right length, and apparently able to serve up perfect yorkers at will, finished with five wickets for six runs.
Chasing, Pakistan looked purposeful from the off with openers Akmal (19 off 14) and the 19-year-old debutant Shezaid Hasan (35 off 28) putting on 36 for the first wicket and driving Pakistan to a Powerplay score of 54/1.
Afridi rounded off the victory with a crowd-pleasing knock of 29 off 18 balls. Afridi is relishing this tournament in all three areas of his game and, typically, he tried to win the game with a six only to sky the ball – and see it fall safe. The win was completed with an anti-climactic two.
So now Pakistan and New Zealand have one win each from their two games. the rets of the group sees Sri Lanka play Ireland tomorrow; Pakistan play Ireland on Monday; and New Zealand play Sri Lanka on Tuesday. It looks like it will be tight – but Pakistan must now be favourites for a semi-final spot – unless the Irish have something to say.
