New Zealand's turnaround delights Vettori
Posted on Nov 07, 2009 at 13:10 | Updated Nov 07, 2009 at 14:41
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Abu Dhabi: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes his team's conscious effort to improve in key areas helped them beat Pakistan and level their three-match series at 1-1.
They may have been beaten by 138-runs in the first match on Tuesday but the Black Caps hit back with a clinical performance in the second on Friday to win by 64 runs -- a turnaround which delighted the New Zealand captain.
"I think we wanted to improve on some key areas, made a conscious effort and it's pleasing that we were able to turn around in a couple of days; now we must keep the pressure on Pakistan," said Vettori after the win.
The third and final match will be played here on Monday. New Zealand rode on a return-to-form century by Brendon McCullum (131) who added 126 for the second wicket with Martin Guptill (62) which built the foundation of an imposing total of 303-8 in 50 overs.
"The partnership between McCullum and Guptill set up the victory for us, enabled us to achieve a 300-plus total and put pressure on Pakistan," said Vettori, who also identified Scott Styris's three wickets in two overs as the turning point.
Pakistan got off to a solid start of 77 between Salman Butt (59) and Khalid Latif (45) and were 124-2 when Styris, bowling for the first time in nearly 13 months, grabbed three wickets off just 10 balls.
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