An unbelievable bowling performance by Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul (5/6) helped Pakistan to stay alive in the series by beating New Zealand comfortably by six wickets. Umar Gul was unplayable and most importantly he became the first bowler to take five for in Twenty20 Internationals.
Abdul Razzak who makes his comeback to this game after almost two years strikes with his fourth delivery of his very first over to remove dangerous looking B.McCullum (12 runs of 6 balls) to give New Zealand their first blow then in his third over he removed M.Guptill (8 runs of 8 balls) to skittle the New Zealand top order, which was followed by Umar Gul magical bowling spell.
Umar Gul was twice on hat-trick but luckily for New Zealand he missed the hat-trick chance on both the occasions. Those two spells sandwiched a period when the spinners choked the life out of the middle order as a weakened New Zealand, missing Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor, stumbled to a meagre total on a belter of a pitch at The Oval.
In the end New Zealand bowled out for 99 in 18.3 overs, which gives Pakistan more than a chance to bounce back in the tournament.
Pakistanis openers started well blasting 36 runs in first four overs and in the end Shahid Afridi finished the run chase with his brisk inning of 29 runs of 18 balls. S.Hasan (35 runs of 28 balls) also made a decent contribution in the small run chase.
Pakistan achieved the target in 13.1 overs but despite of heavy loss New Zealand net run-rate is still better than the rest of the team in the Group and that must be taken care seriously in the coming matches by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Umar Gul was declared Player-of-the-Match for his record bowling performance of 5/6.
Match Summary (Pakistan won by 6 Wickets)
New Zealand – 99/10 in 18.3 Overs
Scott Styris- 22A.Redmond –15
Umar Gul– 3-0-6-5Abdul Razzak- 3.3-1-17-2
Pakistan– 100/4 in 13.1 Overs
Shahzaib Hasan- 35S.Afridi–29*
D.Vettori– 4-0-20-2K.Mills- 4-0-28-1
Pakistan v New Zealand Highlights - Umar Gul Magical Spell
South Africa v West Indies – South Africa continued their record winning streak in T20I
South Africa maintained their winning streak in ICC World Twnety20 with a 20 runs win over West Indies in their second super eights game. With this win now South Africa is almost certain to qualify for the Semi Finals.
West Indies chasing 184 runs to win fell just 20 runs short. L.Simmons (77 runs of just 50 balls) played a brilliant knock with 12 fours and one huge six to keep the West Indies hope alive till the 16th over but as soon as he was dismissed by R van der Merwe South Africa tighten the grip on the game.
Apart from L.Simmons and D.Bravo (19 runs of 17 balls) 57 runs partnership no West Indian batsman able to put a decent partnership and that is why in the end West Indies fell short by 20 runs.
But the star of the day was a 19 year old left are quick Wayne Parnell, who took four wickets for 13 runs, including two in four balls to remove openers Andre Fletcher and dangerous Chris Gayle.
Earlier South Africa after put into bat got off to great start by their Captain G.Smith (31 runs of 18 balls) and J.Kallis (45 runs of 31 balls). Both went on to put 54 runs partnership for the 1st wicket in just 35 balls. H.Gibbs also showed sign of return to form with brisk inning of 55 runs of 35 balls.
However West Indies bowlers bowled well in the depth over to peg back South Africa from getting more than 200 runs.
West Indies will play their next game on Monday 15th June against England while South AfricaIndia on Tuesday 16th June. will take on
W.parnell was declared Player-of-the-Match for his super bowling performance of 4/13.
Umer Gul was really impressive. It was his day. Great length bowling with some good seam movement really helped him to take those wickets. Even Abdul Razzak performance was great even though he returned to international cricket after two years.
