Kiwis cruise to 3-1 series win

New Zealand took a winning 3-1 lead in the five-match series by coasting to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth one-day international today. A meagre Pakistani total of 126 was easily reached by the home side in 22.5 overs.

“A series win against Pakistan after coming off 5-0 in Pakistan is something we will celebrate tonight,” Stephen Fleming said.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq conceded his side fell victim to injudicious shot selection. “Our shot selection was very bad and the New Zealand bowlers were bowling on the right length,” he said.

In a series where the captain who won the toss has bowled first and won every match, Fleming had no hesitation in putting Pakistan into bat when the coin fell his way. Only a flamboyant rearguard partnership of 39 runs by Akhtar and Mohammad Sami lifted the score into three figures and gave it some measure of respectability.