Last ODI a Morale Booster
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 47 runs on the fifth ODI played at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 3 February 2011. They had already won the six-ODI series by 3-1. The Men in green now look forward to Eden Park, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766, where sixth and final match of the series
will be played on 5 February, 2011. They will surely play that match confidently.
It is more than two years since Pakistan won any ODI series against any country. They already won the Test series against the black caps by 1-0 which also came after about four years gap against any country. This tour has much boosted the team’s confidence
and they have started playing good cricket after quite long. The only exception on the tour is the loss of three T20 matches series by 2-1 in the initial stage of the tour. They did not look back then and followed the road to success.
The first ODI of the series was played at Westpac Stadium, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 on 22
January 2011 when Pakistan showed dismal performance in their batting, as a result, the whole team was bowled out for just 124 runs in just 37.3 overs. Only two old horses http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 (24) could deliver better. Eight players of
the whole team could not enter the double figure. The Black Caps’ bowling was devastating as Tim Southee thrashed the tourists batting by taking five wickets for just 33 runs. Hamish Bennett took three wickets and Jacob Oram came out with two. For the home
side, it was not a big task which they achieved in just 17.2 overs. Jesse Ryder scored 55 and Martin Guptill remained unbeaten on 40. Sohail Tanvir was the only wicket taker.
The second ODI was supposed to be played at Queenstown on 26 January 2011 but was washed out just after 4.2 overs when Pakistan scored 31 runs without losing any wicket.
Pakistan came back strongly in the third match played at AMI Stadium, Christchurch on 29 January 2011. They put on board a healthy total of 293 for 7 in 50 overs. Hafeez was man of the day who scored his maiden ODI century. Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 made a sizzling
knock of 65 on just 26 balls smashing five fours and sixes. Kayle Mills, Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett took two wickets each from New Zealand.
The Kiwis tried to chase well but fell short of 43 runs. Scott Styris scored (46) and Kane Williamson (42) were the top scorers. Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul shared two wickets each. Afridi and Hafeez shared one wicket. Pakistan won that match
convincingly.
The fourth match was played at Maclean Park, Napier, on the first of February 2011. New Zealand, after winning the toss, elected to bat and scored 262 runs in 50 overs. James Franklin scored 62 and Nathan McCullum with 53 runs. Wahab Riaz prominently took
3 for 51 runs. Abdul Razzaq, Hafeez and Afridi took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s batting roamed around Misbah who made brilliant unbeaten 93 in 91 balls. He steered Pakistan to victorious point through different partnerships. Sohail Tanvir played the winning shot for four to bring victory for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 on the last ball of 49th over.
Pakistan scored 264 for 8 in 48.6 overs. Styris, from New Zealand, took 3 as Bennett and Daniel Vettori took two wickets each.
After winning the toss of 5th ODI, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321, Bennett and
Styris claimed two wickets each.
Pakistan bowlers did not give a sigh of relief to New Zealand batsmen in this match and the whole team went down at 227, that gave Pakistan their third and decisive victory of the series. Wahab Riaz claimed 3 again as Umar Gul and Afridi took two wickets
each.
The Pakistan batting is looking much improved in last three matches and their bowling, too. Their bowlers, however, had bowled 44 wides and 4 no balls in this ODI series even having two coaches. They have to work on their bowlers to overcome this deficiency.
Some more concentration is required from the bats of Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq.
Pakistan must win the 6th ODI also which will definitely boost their confidence before entering the ICC World Cup 2011.
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