NZ win despite Razzaq heroics

New Zealand defended a record score against a batting surge by Abdul Razzaq to win the fifth one-day cricket match against Pakistan by four ...

New Zealand defended a record score against a batting surge by Abdul Razzaq to win the fifth one-day cricket match against Pakistan by four runs today. Razzaq hit 89 from 40 balls as Pakistan, chasing a massive 308 for victory, reached 303 before losing its last wicket with only three balls remaining. New Zealand won the series 4-1.

Earlier, Hamish Marshall had made 84 and Craig McMillan 81 from as many balls as New Zealand reached 307-8, its highest one-day score at home and against Pakistan.

For much of Pakistan’s innings, New Zealand looked in no danger of defeat. But after Moin Khan and Inzamam-ul Haq had added 98 for the fifth wicket, Razzaq took charge and blasted Pakistan close to victory. Razzaq smashed his first 50 runs from only 23 balls with six fours and two sixes and was finally out in the 49th over. He was the ninth Pakistan batsman out and left his team needing only 14 runs from 11 balls when he was caught from the bowling of Andre Adams.

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New Zealand’s record total demanded Pakistan score at more than six runs per over for victory. It had fallen well behind that pressing quota when it lost its first three wickets for 57 runs. The partnership between Moin and Inzamam, which occupied 20 overs in the middle of the innings, began to turn the match.

Moin, who was slightly more aggressive, reached his half century from 75 balls with six fours and a six and Inzamam followed shortly after from 63 balls with five boundaries.

Pakistan was 171-5, needing 137 from 13 overs when Moin was bowled by Scott Styris with the last ball of the 37th over. His dismissal brought Razzaq to the wicket and it was immediately obvious the aggressive left-hander was in a mood to change the match.

He began an immediate assault on New Zealand’s bowlers. Regular changes of field placement and the rotation of the New Zealand attack did not make a difference. Razzaq hit boundaries to every part of the ground as he sprinted towards one of the fastest half centuries in Pakistan’s one-day history.

Brief scores

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New Zealand 307-8 (H Marshall 84, C McMillan 81, C Cairns 36, C Cumming 31; A Mahmood 2/38, S Akhtar 2/46) beat Pakistan 303 all out (A Razzaq 89, Inzamam 67, M Khan 52, Y Hameed 48; J Oram 2/28, K Mills 2/65)