WELLINGTON – Abdul Razzaq produced a man-of-the-match performance with bat and ball to ensure Pakistan salvaged some credibility and embarrassed New Zealand by 103 runs in their third and final Twenty20 international in Christchurch on Thursday.
Razzaq, who was dropped by Nathan McCullum while on two in the 19th over, proceeded to smash three sixes and three fours and finish 34 not out off 11 balls and help his side to a credible 183 for six in their 20 overs.
The 31-year-old medium fast bowler then destroyed New Zealand’s batting lineup taking three wickets as the hosts, who had already wrapped up the series after wins in Auckland and Hamilton, crashed to 11-5 before limping to 80 all out. The hosts had lost four wickets for three runs in the first 17 balls with Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie and captain Ross Taylor all failing to score.
Razzaq finished with figures of 3-13 off four overs, though the return was only inflated when Scott Styris hit successive boundaries off his final two balls. Styris was the only New Zealand batsmen to emerge with any credibility, top scoring with 45 to ensure they avoided achieving the lowest international Twenty20 score of 67, held by Kenya. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi finished with 4-14 off 2.5 overs, including two wickets in two balls in his second over.
Pakistan’s openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez had given their side a superb start, racing along at more than 10 runs an over as they exploited the superb batting surface, short boundaries and fielding restrictions. James Franklin finally broke the opening stand with the score on 81 when Hafeez was caught one handed by a leaping Taylor for 34. Shehzad was then trapped lbw by Franklin for 54 to reduce Pakistan to 90 for two in the 11th over and while their middle order struggled, Razzaq turned the game in the final two overs. The teams now embark on a two-test series, starting in Hamilton on Jan. 7, before playing six one-day internationals as they build-up to the 50-over World Cup, which starts on Feb. 19.
Pakistan’s impressive total was set up by an explosive opening partnership between Ahmad Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, who blasted 81 in 8.4 overs to set pulses racing at the AMI stadium. Shehzad in particular, was quick to punish anything on a length, peppering the midwicket boundary repeatedly, while also driving through the covers when the ball was pitched up.
Pervez Qaiser
Pakistan achieved their biggest ever victory in terms of runs in T20 cricket by beating New Zealand by 103 runs. Pakistan’s previous biggest win was 102-run victory over Bangladesh at Karachi on April 20, 2008. The 46-run victory at Dubai on November 12, 2009 was Pakistan’s previous biggest against New Zealand.
n The 103-run defeat was New Zealand’s biggest in terms of runs in T20 cricket. Their previous biggest was 54-run defeat against Australia at Perth on December 11,2007.
n Shahid Afridi became the first bowler to take 50 wickets in T20 cricket. The Pakistani skipper achieved this feat by dismissing Nathan McCullum, LBW. It was his 42nd match.
n Shahid Afridi recorded his second best bowling by taking four for 14 in 2.5 overs. His best bowling in this format is four for 11 against Holland at Lord’s on June 9, 2009.
n New Zealand recorded their lowest ever total by making 80 in 15.5 overs. Their previous lowest was 81 in 17.3 overs against Sri Lanka at Lauderhill on May 23, 2010. New Zealand’s previous lowest against Pakistan was 99 in 18.3 overs at The Oval on June 13, 2009.
n New Zealand’s first four batsmen failed to open their accounts. It was second time when their first four batsmen received ducks in an innings. In the match between Kenya and Sri Lanka at Durban on September 12, 2007, four batsmen from Kenya side received ducks.
