Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Pakistan vs. New Zealand 24th Match ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

The 24th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was played between Pakistan and New Zealand at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. New Zealand won the toss and decided to Bat first. The first over was an eventful one with Shoaib Akhtar bowling a no-ball and Brendon McCullum hit him for a six off the free-hit, butShoaib Akhtar struck back with a beautiful in swinging delivery and bowled McCullum out. Martin Guptill and Jamie How stabled the innings after the early blow and after 10 overs New Zealand were 45/1.
Umar Gul was introduced into the attacked and he was immediately in business in his 2nd over when Jamie How, who never looked comfortable out there, was caught dead infront of the stumps and was out LBW after making 4 runs from 29 balls, leaving New Zealand 55/2. Shoaib Akhtar was brought back in the attack and it was a horror fest behind the stumps when 2 chances went begging, one flew between the first slip and the keeper, second one was the easiest of catches for Kamran Akmal but he dropped it and Shoaib Akhtar was not a happy man. After 20 over New Zealand were 81/2.
Martin Guptill was playing a superb knock and brought up his half century from 71 balls and after 25 overs New Zealand were 99/2.  Shahid Afridi finally got the breakthrough for his team when he bowled Martin Guptill for 57 as New Zealand were 113/3 in 29 overs. In the very next over Muhammad Hafeez got rid of James Franklin, as he was out LBW via UDRS, leaving New Zealand struggling at 113/4. After 30 overs New Zealand were 119/4. Ross Taylor completed his half century from 78 balls as New Zealand were 141/4 in 35 overs. New Zealand brought up their 150 in the 37th over with Scott Styris giving support to Ross Taylor. After 40 overs New Zealand were 163/4 and were looking all set to take on the Pakistani bowling in the power play.
The power play was taken in the 42nd over but wasn’t good news for New Zealand when Umar Gul bowled a beautiful over giving only two runs and removing Scott Styris. The 200 was brought up in the 35th over when Ross Taylor and Nathan McCullum both hit a six each. Nathan McCullum who hit Gul for a 6 was bowled the very next ball and New Zealand were 210/6.
The 47th over was a 6 hitting bonanza as Ross Taylor hit Shoaib Akhtar for 3 sixes and 2 fours in the over bringing his century in style of 117 balls. The next three overs were murderous for Pakistan bowling as Ross Taylor was tearing the Pakistani bowling apart. Jacob Oram hit 2 sixes of the first 2 balls of the last over but got out on the third but the damage New Zealand inflicted was now beyond repairs as New Zealand finished the innings at 302/7 in 50 overs.
It was Ross Taylor’s birthday today and he wouldn’t have asked for a better gift as he made 131 from 124 hitting 7 sixes and 8 fours. Pakistan would now be looking to win the match as that is the only way they can get past and over this match. Fielding might have hurt them badly with 4 dropped catches in the field. New Zealand batting scorecard below.

























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