All-round Afridi sets up big win against NZ
Posted on Nov 03, 2009 at 16:39 | Updated Nov 04, 2009 at 14:02
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Abu Dhabi: Shahid Afirid shone with both bat and ball as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead by beating New Zealand by 138 runs in the first ODI at Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Tuesday. The all-rounder smashed a blistering 50-ball 70 and then took two for 46 in his 10 overs.
Chasing 288, New Zealand were bowled out for 149 in 39.2 overs after Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Khalid Latif hit half-centuries to help Pakistan reach 287-9.
The New Zealand chase never got off the block as Umar Gul set the pace for Pakistan early by sending back Brendon McCullum (21) and Martin Guptill (five) early. Ross Taylor (zero) and Scott Styris (five), making a return to the national side, too disappointed the Kiwis.
Opener Aaron Redmond (52) held one end up and with skipper Daniel Vettori (38) stitched a responsible 69-run stand before falling leg before to Saeed Ajmal. An Afridi double blow off consecutive balls hastened the inevitable as Vettori and Nathan McCullum walked back with New Zealand reeling at 139-7.
Razzaq then joined the party in the next over by snaring Jacob Oram (nine).
New Zealand lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs within five overs.
Earlier, Afridi hit a quickfire 50-ball 70 and opener Latif a snail-paced 64 to help Pakistan recover from a precarious 75-4 after Younis Khan won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch.
Akmal gave the innings final touches with a belligerent 43-ball 67 laced with four sixes and five boundaries as Pakistan ran rampage, collecting 107 in the last ten overs.
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