Taylor's birthday ton sinks hapless Pakistan
Pallekele: As expected, there were plenty of gags and ribald comments about Kamran Akmal’s hand in giving Ross Taylor a World Cup birthday gift to remember.
Or as a wag in an email from Taylor’s Lower Hutt turf suggested, while Akmal baked the cake, Shoaib Akhtar provided the glitter with the candles and Shahid Afridi player mater of ceremonies to blow them out. It was that sort of Alice in Wonderland style of birthday party with the Mad Hatter, aka Pakistan wicketkeeper Akmal, wondering how he let this one get away.
Or as a wag in an email from Taylor’s Lower Hutt turf suggested, while Akmal baked the cake, Shoaib Akhtar provided the glitter with the candles and Shahid Afridi player mater of ceremonies to blow them out. It was that sort of Alice in Wonderland style of birthday party with the Mad Hatter, aka Pakistan wicketkeeper Akmal, wondering how he let this one get away.
There were no magic tricks. The Kiwis had a touch of luck and frankly, you cannot drop Ross Taylor twice and expect to get away with such fielding howlers. Little wonder the was a grimace and then a scowl. Result, New Zealand move to the top of Group A with victory by 110 runs with 9.2 overs to spare and better run overs rate.
Pakistan will also wonder how the side they (struggled to) beat 3-2 in the recent ODI series came at them so hard and Taylor made the most of some of the most appalling bowling tactics you will see this World Cup. While the victory will also help Sri Lanka’s cause, it should be remembered how New Zealand won the game without their skipper, Daniel Vettori, having his knee scanned after falling on his right knee early in the Pakistan innings.
Pakistan will also wonder how the side they (struggled to) beat 3-2 in the recent ODI series came at them so hard and Taylor made the most of some of the most appalling bowling tactics you will see this World Cup. While the victory will also help Sri Lanka’s cause, it should be remembered how New Zealand won the game without their skipper, Daniel Vettori, having his knee scanned after falling on his right knee early in the Pakistan innings.
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