Pakistan Leading the Series With 2-1 After Beating New Zealand with Two Wickets

Pakistan in New Zealand, 2010-11

McLean Park, Napier

February 1, 2011

Napier, New Zealand – In fourth ODI Pakistan clinch the thriller with two wickets at McClean Park, Napier to take the lead in the series with 2-1. The match went to 49^th over to see the result and during the match it was all about see-saw game. Kiwi’s done well to make it hard for Pakistan batsmen in the hunt of an easy looking target.  

 Misbah-ul-Haq again played an unbeaten knock of 93 runs off 91 balls. The little cameo played by Sohail Tanveer at the end with his 6-ball innings for his winning 14 runs.

Earlier, New Zealand set a target of 263 for Pakistan after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Pakistan has to score with 5.25 runs per over to get lead in the series.

Pakistan bowlers dominated most part of the New Zealand innings but loosened the grip after getting Brendon McCullum’s wicket number six on just 141 on the board. Pakistan had to pay the price for the relaxed behaviour while New Zealand’s lower order cashed it and collected 121 runs to set a relatively stiff target for the opposition.

Misbah was named as Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant knock. In the ceremony he expressed his joy saying, “I am enjoying my time in NZ. I enjoyed playing on this wicket. I enjoy batting with Younis Khan and the partnership was the key to the team's success. A team win is important and not individual records and I am happy that the team won. Everybody is slowly getting back into form and these are good signs for the World Cup”.

Pakistan will take on New Zealand on 3^rd February for the fifth ODI at Hamilton.