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This article was first published 15 years ago

Pakistan win do-or-die match

June 14, 2009 01:02 IST

Image: Abdul Razzak exults after dismissing Martin Guptill

Paksitan allrounder Abdul Razzak (2/17) exults after dismissing Martin Guptill, lbw for 8 runs, during the World T20 Super Eight match in London on Saturday.

Abdul Razzaq, playing first match for his country after quitting ICL, celebrated his return by rocking the Kiwi top-order at the start.

Pakistan win do-or-die match

Image: Scott Styris in action

The Kiwis never recovered from early blows and kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which took a heavy toll on their run rate.

Kiwi allrounder Scott Styris tried to break the shackles by hitting Saeed Ajmal for a long-on six as New Zealand huffed and puffed to 56 for four at half-way mark.

Pakistan win do-or-die match

Image: Umar Gul celebrates the wicket of Peter McGlashan

Man of the match Umar Gul's incredible fast bowling spell resulted in Kiwi's complete demolition as they were all out for a paltry 99 in 18.3 overs after deciding to bat. Gul, introduced as late as in the 13th over, wreaked havoc in his three-over spell and emerged as the first bowler to claim five wickets in T20 Internationals.

Gul bulldozed New Zealand with a sensational five-wicket haul as Pakistan defeated New Zealand by six wickets to keep their semifinals hopes alive.

 

Pakistan win do-or-die match

Image: Umar Gul celebrates the wicket of Kyle Mills

Kiwis had already lost four wickets when Gul came to bowl and heavily turned the match in favour of his side with his sparkling spell.

Gul first got rid of Styris, who top scored for New Zealand with his 22, and just rolled over the rest of the batting line-up to complete his magical spell. Gul accounted for Peter McGlashan (8), Nathan McCullum (7), James Franklin (7) and Kyle Mills (0) in a hurry to complete his tally of wickets.

Pakistan win do-or-die match

Image: Peter McGlashan and Scott Styris appeal for the wicket of Abdul Razak

Shahzaib Hasan (35) Kamran Akmal (19) began the chase for Pakistan in right earnest, putting up 36 runs in 4.2 overs but departure of the latter triggered a mini collapse.

Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori (2/20) dismissed Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Malik to jolt the Pakistani camp.

However, skipper Younus Khan and Sahid Afridi saw the team through with a 39-run partnership.

Pakistan win do-or-die match

Image: Shahid Afridi in action

Afridi showed a lot of maturity as he played an impressive unbeaten knock of 29 off just 18 deliveries to see his team through.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan was unbeaten along with Afridi on 6. Pakistan need to beat Ireland comprehensively on June 15 in order to find a place in the semifinals.