Shoaib's pace too much for New Zealand

Pakistan strolled to victory in their first one-day international against New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday, running out winners by six wickets.

Chasing New Zealand's modest 149 all out off 35.3 overs, Pakistan took their time and passed the target off the last ball of the 45th over.

The Kiwis simply had no answer to the fiery pace attack of Shoaib Akhtar who took five for 19 off just 6.3 overs in his first international in 10 months.

Afterwards Shoaib said he was very happy with his performance and felt he had also answered any questions about the legality of his action.

New Zealand umpire John Reid banned Shoaib for "chucking", but the decision was overturned last year by the International Cricket Council. He has also been out for the last 10 months through injury.

"John Reid's decision was not a good decision. He had been a match referee for three years and he hadn't objected (previously)," Shoaib said.

Pakistan's only concern while batting was when left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori got two wickets in two overs -- nabbing Saeed Anwar for 48 and Abdur Razzaq for 19 -- to leave the visitors on 85 for three.

But Inzamam-ul-Huq and Yousuf Youhana combined for a 58-run partnership to bring Pakistan home.

Inzamam got 32 before he was bowled by Chris Harris just seven runs shy of victory. Youhana scored an unbeaten 30 and Shahid Afridi hit the winning runs for four not out.

Vettori finished with the impressive figures of two for 21 off his 10 overs.

In the New Zealand innings, the only resistance to Shoaib came from Craig McMillan (35) and Lou Vincent (31).

But more worryingly for New Zealand, Shoaib said he wasn't even bowling flat out.

"The senior players told me to take it easy," he said. "I was a bit scared, to be honest, playing my first big game after almost a year out. I chilled out."

"Not too many of our guys were prepared for someone like him, New Zealand captain Steven Fleming said. "He bowled straight, quick and got a bit of swing. He was difficult to handle."

Mail Cricket Editor