Daily Cricket News

NZ-Pak: Misbah guides Pak to 2-1 lead

Napier: Misbah ul-Haq made a career-best 93 not out to steer Pakistan to a two-wicket win over New Zealand in the fourth one-day cricket international on Tuesday to lead 2-1 in the six-match series.

New Zealand made 262-7 in its 50 overs, batting first after winning the toss in conditions at McLean Park described as "heaven for batsmen" by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.

Pakistan stumbled several times in its run chase, losing wickets at crucial moments, but Misbah steered his team home with an over to spare.

The loss was New Zealand's 13th from its last 15 ODIs, continuing its ragged preparation for the World Cup, which starts in little more than two weeks.

The outcome of the match hung on a dramatic batting power-play called by Pakistan after 42 overs, during which the initiative changed hands on several occasions.

Pakistan was 194-4 when the power-play was called, needing 69 to win from 48 balls. Misbah had already reached his half-century from 62 balls and was in command of Pakistan's innings.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori assigned himself the first over of the power-play, recognising its importance, and immediately made an impact that almost tipped the match in the home team's favour.

He dismissed Umar Akmal with the first ball. Then, after conceding a boundary, trapped Pakistan danger man Shahid Afridi lbw with the third ball to have Pakistan perilously placed at 198-6. Afridi had hit a half-century from 19 balls in the previous match at Christchurch.

The initiative swung back to Pakistan when Abdul Razzaq smashed a six from the first ball of the 44th over, bowled by Tim Southee, and went on to take 17 runs from the over. By its end, Pakistan needed 45 runs from 36 balls with four wickets still in hand.

Pakistan took nine from the next over, bowled by Hamish Bennett, and moved to 227-7, needing 36 runs from 30 balls. Southee managed to contain the scoring in the fourth over of the power-play, allowing only five runs to leave Pakistan needing 31 more from 24 balls.

Bennett conceded a four from the first ball of the 47th over — the last of the power-play — but had Razzaq caught by Vettori with the fifth delivery to swing the match slightly in New Zealand's favour. Razzaq had blasted 23 from 18 balls and Pakistan was 239-7, needing 24 from 18 balls.

Misbah hit a six from the first ball of the 48th over, bowled by Scott Styris, and the equation turned again in favour of Pakistan. By the end of the over, Pakistan needed 13 from 12 balls.

Tailender Sohail Tanvir decided the match when he smashed fours from the first two balls of the 49th over, took two from the third delivery, then hit a boundary from the last ball for the winning runs. He finished with 14 from six balls in a brilliant cameo.

Misbah was the navigator of the run chase, however, and finished with 93 runs from 91 balls.

Earlier, late inclusion James Franklin top-scored with 62 to guide New Zealand to its barely adequate total. Franklin was added to the New Zealand lineup shortly before the match began due to opening batsman Jesse Ryder withdrawing with a finger injury.

He shared partnerships of 62 for the sixth wicket with Brendon McCullum and 64 for the seventh with brother Nathan McCullum, reviving the innings after New Zealand had slumped from 40 without loss to 141-6.

Nathan McCullum made an unbeaten 53, his first half-century in 17 ODIs, and Brendon McCullum 37 to help Franklin's rebuilding effort.

Pakistan also boosted New Zealand's total with 33 extras, including 19 wides.